HEALTH

Catheters

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the use of silver alloy urinary catheters on rates of infection.

Melanie Johnson: We have commissioned Thames Valley University to update the national guidelines on infection control and a report is expected in August. This will include recommendations for preventing hospital acquired infections associated with the use of short-to-medium indwelling urethral catheters, including those coated with silver alloy.

Health Inequalities (Barnsley)

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce health inequalities in Barnsley.

Melanie Johnson: I was fortunate to visit Barnsley in February to see for myself the good progress that is being made to reduce health inequalities—particularly around smoking cessation services, reducing teenage pregnancies and increasing access to Sure Start facilities.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for using their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services. Over the current three-year allocation period Barnsley PCT will receive a total increase of £64 million, an increase of 31 per cent.

Cancer Treatment

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on waiting times for cancer treatment.

Melanie Johnson: The NHS Cancer Plan sets out our strategy to reduce cancer waiting times. Our ultimate goal is that no one should wait longer than one month from urgent referral to the start of treatment except for clinical reasons or because of patient choice. We hope to achieve this goal by 2008.

South West Oxfordshire PCT

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he (a) took and (b) requested be taken to change the decision of South West Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust in respect of the Ophthalmology Treatment Centre Chair in 2003.

Rosie Winterton: Ministers do not get involved in the decision-making of primary care trusts (PCTs). The Board of South West Oxfordshire PCT decided to reverse their earlier decision and support the Ophthalmology Treatment Centre following additional information provided by the PCT's Chief Executive.

Consultants' Contract

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants have signed the new consultants' contract.

John Hutton: As at the beginning of June, 80 per cent. of consultants who had expressed an interest in working under the new the contract had received final job plan offers and 35 per cent. had accepted them. Consultants are moving on to the new contract at a rate of over 800 a week.

Orthopaedic Surgery

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend patient choice in respect of orthopaedic surgery.

John Hutton: Patients waiting more than six months for orthopaedic surgery are already being offered the choice of faster treatment in an alternative hospital.
	By August this choice will be available to patients across the national health service in England.
	By December 2005 patients will have the choice of four to five hospitals at the time their general practitioner refers them to hospital.

LIFT Programme

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with the local investment finance trust (LIFT) programme.

John Hutton: 42 local investment finance trust projects are currently going ahead. 13 of these had signed contracts by 1 July. All but one of the remaining 29 have appointed preferred bidders, and several of them are expected to reach financial close soon. We have recently invited the national health service to submit further applications for LIFT projects.

Agency Staff

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many agency (non-NHS) (a) doctors and (b) nurses have been employed by the North West London NHS Trust in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: This information is not collected centrally.

Agenda for Change

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department will take to ensure that job profiles under the Agenda for Change for community (a) nurses and (b) allied health professionals will be adequately tested.

John Hutton: We are currently testing the impact of the whole package of pay reform, including the application of job profiles, across 12 early implementer sites to ensure that the new system, which is underpinned by a job evaluation framework, provides a fair and comparable basis of employment for all staff groups including allied health professions and community nurses.
	The United Kingdom health departments, national health service unions and employer representatives are now reviewing the emerging evidence from the sites and the conclusions from this review are likely to be known in July.

Alder Hey

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether sucraid (a) has been and (b) is prescribed at the Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Allergies

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services health authorities in Crosby provide for allergy sufferers.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not collected centrally. It is for local primary care trusts to decide how to use their funding allocation to meet the needs of their local populations.

Blood Transfusion

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusions have been reached on the efficacy of leucodepletion in preventing vCJD infections through blood transfusions.

Melanie Johnson: Expert advice is that, if variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) is transmissible through blood, there is a possibility that white blood cells may carry the greatest risk of transmitting vCJD. As a precautionary measure, leucodepletion of all blood components was implemented in October 1999. If there is any infectivity in the blood of vCJD patients, even without leucodepletion, it is too low to measure by the methods currently available.

Brain Tumours

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into brain tumours in the last five years, with particular reference to childhood brain tumours.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 29 June 2004
	The Department is providing funding for a specialised research network on paediatric oncology. The network is led by the United Kingdom children's cancer study group (UKCCSG). The UKCCSG is currently running sixteen trials on brain and nervous system tumours in children. These trials are being run through the national cancer research network, which is funded by the Department. Details can be found at www.ncrn.org.uk. In addition, the Department funds the UK childhood cancer research group at the University of Oxford, which is responsible for the national registry of childhood tumours including brain tumours.
	The Department is also directly funding various research projects that are relevant to brain tumours including:
	a study at the University of Birmingham's institute of child health into the relationship between molecular genetic abnormalities and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy biochemical profiles in childhood brain tumours;
	research on the risk of brain tumours in relation to the use of mobile phones.
	The national health service research and development programme on new and emerging applications of technology has funded a project on "Robotic Instrumentation Applied to Novel Therapy for Brain Disorders" and is currently funding another project entitled "Diffusion tensor imaging: a potential tool for improved definition of brain tumour margins and targeted therapy".
	The majority of funds for research and development in the NHS are allocated to and managed by NHS organisations. Details of individual projects, including several relevant to childhood brain tumours, can be found on the national research register at www. dh.gov.uk/research.

Brain Tumours

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase and improve the training available to (a) general practitioners, (b) nurses, (c) junior doctors, (d) therapists and (e) opticians regarding the symptoms of different forms of brain tumours.

John Hutton: It is not practicable or desirable for the Government to prescribe exactly the content of training that any individual doctor, nurse, therapist or optician will receive. These are matters for the relevant independent regulators, competent authorities or professional bodies. Additionally it is the duty of all health professionals to keep up to date in the sphere of their own practice.
	The Department issued "Referral guidelines for suspected cancer" in 2000 to help general practitioners to identify those patients who are most likely to have cancer and who therefore require urgent assessment by a specialist. These guidelines include a section on brain tumours. The guidelines are currently being updated by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and are due to be published next year.

Breast Cancer

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into male breast cancer in the last 10 years.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has not directly commissioned research specifically related to the causes or treatment of male breast cancer.
	Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research, including cancer, is devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of individual projects, including some concerned with male breast cancer, can be found on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.

Children's Continence Services

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the provision of children's continence services;
	(2)  what plans he has to provide further directions to primary care trusts on providing integrated continence services for children.

Stephen Ladyman: The publication of the Royal College of Nursing/Continence Foundation document, "Is policy translated into action", provides a helpful overview of where and how services have improved, and also the scope for further improvement.
	We will shortly introduce the children's national service framework, which will outline what support should be available to children and their parents in managing a range of conditions. In doing so, it will highlight evidence-based clinical guidelines, such as "Good Practice in Continence Services", which identifies the need to provide integrated continence services for children.

Community Hospitals

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to primary care trusts about the services offered at community hospitals.

John Hutton: "The New NHS", published in 1997, set out a vision for the national health service and for primary care trusts (PCTs) as a key driver to improve health and make the NHS modern and dependable.
	This was followed by two key guidance documents: "Primary Care Trusts: Establishing Better Services" and "Primary Care Trusts: Establishment, the Preparatory Period and Their Function". Since then, a number of guidance documents have been issued on PCT establishment, functions, membership, governance, commissioning, finance and services. These documents do not specifically give guidance on the services offered at community hospitals.
	PCTs are responsible for assessing the needs of their population and securing services to meet those needs. PCTs are free to commission care from wherever they can obtain the best services for patients.
	PCTs will need to have detailed first hand knowledge of hospital and community care services within their area and a clear view of the needs of their local community to plan and secure a full range of services for their population.

Correspondence

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will respond to the issues raised by the hon. Member for Erith and Thamesmead in his letters of 17 March 2004 and meeting with the Minister of State on 8 March 2004; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: I replied to my hon. Friend on 18 April. I have placed a copy of the letter in the Library.

Cosmetic Surgery

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what measures have been taken to set up a single register of surgeons trained and qualified in cosmetic surgery; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps have been taken to ensure that all surgeons practicing cosmetic surgery have a cosmetic surgery qualification; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: In order to practise surgery of any kind as an independent practitioner all doctors must be appropriately registered and qualified, in accordance with the National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1996 when working in the NHS, and the Care Standards Act 2000 when working in the independent sector.
	There is no recognised specialist qualification in cosmetic surgery. It forms part of the approved training in plastic surgery. The decision on whether to accept a new specialist qualification rests with the Secretary of State. In making that decision, he will consult and be advised by the specialist training authority of the medical royal colleges, which is responsible for approving the curriculum of any course of training leading to the award of a certificate of completion of specialist training, which is the normal route for entry to the specialist register.

European Union (Health Care)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Government policy is regarding an enhanced role for the European Union in health care.

John Hutton: The organisation and delivery of health services and medical care and definition of health policy is a matter for member states. This position was confirmed by the 25 European Union member states during the recent intergovernmental conference. However, there are situations where information sharing and increased cooperation between member states on healthcare is beneficial. Where this is appropriate we will support such measures.

Fall/Osteoporosis Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons he asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to undertake a technology appraisal of fallers' clinics.

Stephen Ladyman: We considered that a technology appraisal in this area might identify benefits to patients and reduce pressures on the national health service. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is also developing a clinical guideline in this area.

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2003, Official Report, column 596W, on GM crops, what (a) notice and (b) formal communication the Food Standards Agency gave to his Department of its intention to support the approval of the application of the use of Bt11 GM maize in food at the EC Standing Committee for the food chain and animal health meeting on 8 December 2003.

Melanie Johnson: The United Kingdom policy supporting the approval of Bt11 genetically modified maize was agreed across Government. Government Departments were given good time to contribute their views before the meeting of the Standing Committee on 8 December.

Green Ministers

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work his Department's Green Minister has undertaken in the last three months in that role.

Melanie Johnson: The Department is a key player in supporting the Government's objective of building a fair, inclusive and economically thriving society through improving and protecting the health and social well being of the people of England. Sustainable development is an intrinsic part of this aim.
	As the Department's Green Minister, I have a number of responsibilities which help underpin sustainable development goals. These include health inequalities, healthy eating, for example, five-a-day and physical activity, such as the activity co-ordination team. My on-going portfolio of work in these and other areas actively contributes to the delivery of sustainable development. Further details of the Department's work in these areas can be found on the Department's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocial CareTopics/fs/en.
	The results of the Department's recent public health consultation, "Choosing Health", will also feed into a White Paper to be published later this year, which will make an important contribution to the sustainable development agenda.

Health Services (Derby, North)

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses there were in Derby, North in each of the last seven years.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not collected and validated on a constituency basis. However, information for the national health service organisations serving the Derby, North constituency is shown in the tables.
	
		Doctors for specified organisations in the Derby North area
		
			  All doctors(1) 
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Central Derby(1) — — 54 54 — — — 
			 Greater Derby Primary Care Trust (PCT)(1) — — — — 85 (2)86 (3)91 
			 Central Derby PCT(1) — — — — 63 (4)76 (5)82 
			 Derby City General Hospital(6) 147 — — — — — — 
			 Derbyshire Royal Infirmary(6) 219 — — — — — — 
			 Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust(6) — 379 387 386 420 443 477 
		
	
	(1) PCT figures are general medical practitioners (excluding retainers).
	(2) Includes one hospital public health medicine and community services (HCS) doctor.
	(3) Includes three hospital and community health (HCH) doctors.
	(4) Includes 13 HCH doctors.
	(5) Includes 16 HCH doctors.
	(6) Trust figures are hospital and community health services doctors.
	
		Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and practice nurses employed by unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs) 1 in the Derby North area.
		
			  Nurses 
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Central Derby PCT(8) — — 37 41 — — — 
			 Greater Derby PCT(8) — — — — 225 252 266 
			 Central Derby PCT(8) — — — — 147 226 222 
			 Derby City General Hospital(9) 769 — — — — — — 
			 Derbyshire Royal Infirmary(9) 724 — — — — — — 
			 Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust(9) — 1,470 1,503 1,542 1,633 1,770 1,887 
		
	
	(7) UPEs include general medical service unrestricted principals, personal medical service contracted general practitioners.
	(8) Figures are qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff.
	(9) Figures are qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff.

Hospital Discharges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were admitted to and then discharged from hospital whose housing arrangements were not known prior to discharge in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The national health service has a responsibility to ensure that patients are discharged safely. Where the patient's housing arrangements are relevant to this decision, they should be taken into account during the planning of the patient's discharge. The Department does not hold information on the numbers of patients to whom this applies.

Matrons

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many modern matrons there were in each of the last four years, broken down by (a) region and (b) grade.

John Hutton: Information is not available by region or grade. Latest figures indicate that, as at December 2003, there were 3,200 modern matrons employed in the national health service.

Matrons

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital functions are directly accountable to modern matrons.

John Hutton: Hospital functions directly accountable to modern matrons vary within organisations according to local management arrangements. However, the principles underpinning the role hold across all trusts. Their purpose is to lead clinical care in areas such as infection control and patient nutrition, driving up standards in all departments. Modern matrons have the authority to ensure high standards are set and maintained, and act as a visible presence for patients and relatives.

Medical Trainees (Electives)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost in England of sending medical trainees on electives was in 2003–04; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: There is no cost to the national health service where postgraduate medical trainees decide to go abroad for part of their training. A centrally held budget, the multi-professional education and training levy, pays the salary replacement costs of postgraduate medical and dental trainees working in the NHS in England, but not while they are working abroad. Such trainees will usually seek financial assistance from charitable trusts or other organisations or may be in salaried employment in a hospital or research institution abroad.

Medication Reviews

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the national service framework targets for medication reviews for the over 75s do not form part of the Quality and Outcomes Framework in the new general practitioner contract.

Stephen Ladyman: The purpose of the two indicators in the new Quality and Outcomes Framework is to incentivise medication reviews generally.
	A medication review is recorded in the notes in the preceding 15 months for all patients being prescribed four or more repeat medicines.
	A medication review is recorded in the notes in the preceding 15 months for all patients being prescribed repeat medicines.
	The 15-month window is intended to ensure that annual reviews take place in line with expert advice on best practice, but to allow a little extra time in case the patient is unable to attend their first review appointment. This is an upper limit. General practitioners will make clinical decisions about the frequency of medication reviews according to the differing needs of each individual patient.
	The national service framework (NSF) for older people required that by April 2002, everyone aged 75 or over should have their medicines reviewed once a year; every six months for those taking four or more medicines. The medicines partnership taskforce has undertaken a review of primary care trusts to determine the extent of medication reviews carried out as per the NSF requirement. Results will be available shortly.

Ministerial Meetings

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will agree to a meeting with representatives of Queen Mary's Hospital NHS Trust, Oxleas NHS Trust, Bexley Care Trust and the Strategic Health Authority.

John Hutton: I will be meeting my hon. Friend on Wednesday 14 July.

National Sourcing Programme

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation has taken place on the NHS national sourcing programme.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 June 2004
	As part of the review of the Department's arm's length bodies the Department's commercial directorate was commissioned to review the national health service supply chain, which is delivered through the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) and NHS Logistics Authority. The review has identified scope for considerable savings through strengthening the national procurement functions, accelerating the implementation of collaborative trust procurement and streamlining logistics and distribution throughout the NHS supply chain. The review was undertaken in consultation with management and staff and has led to the new supply chain excellence programme.
	One element of this programme is the national contracts sourcing project, which will achieve cost savings for the NHS, by implementing a more rigorous sourcing process, increasing trust uptake and proactively managing strategic suppliers. Consultation on this is continuing with the NHS and with suppliers.

Nerve Conduction Tests (London)

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current waiting time is for nerve conduction tests to be carried out at (a) Charing Cross hospital and (b) other neurophysiology units in London; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Figures on waiting times for nerve conduction tests carried out at Charing Cross Hospital and other neurophysiology units in London is not collected centrally.

NHS Dentists

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Pendle are registered with an NHS dentist outside the area.

Melanie Johnson: 11,000 adults and 4,000 children who were resident in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust area were registered with a general dental service dentist outside the area on 4 April 2004.
	Notes:
	1. Registrations lapse if patients do not return to their dentists within 15 months. Registration rates will exclude patients who haven't been to their general dental service (GDS) dentist within the past 15 months and patients who receive dental treatment from other national health service dental services. 2. NHS dental services are also provided by the community dental service, personal dental service, salaried service of the GDS and hospital dental services. These services do not require the patient to be registered with a dentist before treatment.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

NHS Land

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 25 May 2004, Official Report, column 1603W, on NHS land, which properties were identified as being surplus to requirements in the last independent valuation of all national health service property assets; and how many of those have since been sold.

John Hutton: The information obtained from the District Valuation Office Agency's revaluation of the national health service estate is used for statutory accounting purposes. It does not aim to identify surplus estate.
	The identification and disposal of surplus properties is a matter for NHS trusts, acting in accordance with departmental guidance set out in "Estatecode".
	An agreement in principle has been reached to transfer surplus land in the ownership of Secretary of State for Health to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

NHS Work Force Definitions

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what definition he uses of (a) consultant, (b) specialist and (c) surgeon in the context of the NHS workforce;
	(2)  how many practitioners are employed in the NHS under the title consultant that are neither medically nor dentally qualified, broken down by profession;
	(3)  which of the figures he has relied on to describe workforce projections for NHS consultants include practitioners that are neither medically nor dentally qualified;
	(4)  where practitioners described as consultant but who are neither medically nor dentally qualified appear in (a) actual and (b) projected NHS workforce statistics.

John Hutton: In actual and projected national health service workforce statistics, the Department uses the medical and dental workforce census definitions. The consultant count includes those staff who are:
	doctors or dentists employed in the hospital, public health or community health service sector;
	employees of a NHS organisation, including consultant clinical academics holding an honorary contract;
	employed on a consultant payscale or equivalent.
	To comply with the first item listed, an individual needs to hold a registration number either with the General Medical Council or General Dental Council. The figures therefore include no staff who are neither medically or dentally qualified.
	Questions relating to specialists are generally answered by providing counts of consultants, on exactly the same basis as the above. Questions relating to surgeons are answered by identifying staff who meet the consultant definition as above and in addition are recorded as working in one of the surgical specialties.

Patient Referral (Health Professionals)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health professionals will not immediately be covered by the 18-week target from general practitioner referral to treatment, with reference to paragraph 2.7 of the NHS Improvement Plan.

John Hutton: The Department is yet to agree its public service agreements targets with Her Majesty's Treasury. This is one of the issues to be addressed as part of this process.

PCTs (Elderly Patients)

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which 10 primary care trusts in England have the largest elderly populations compared with the national average;
	(2)  what percentage of the population in the area of (a) the Blackpool Primary Care Trust and (b) the Wyre Primary Care Trust are elderly.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mrs. Joan Humble, dated 6 July 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions about the elderly populations of primary care trusts in England. I am replying in his absence. (181762,181763)
	Mid-year population estimates are not currently available for primary care organisation areas, although a number, including the primary care trusts of Blackpool and Wyre, are coterminous with local authority boundaries. The following table shows the percentage of people resident in Blackpool unitary authority area, Wyre local authority area and England who were of pensionable age in 2002, the latest year for which information is available.
	
		Percentage of people of pensionable age, areas as shown, mid 2002 -- Number, percentage
		
			   People of pensionable age(10) 
			 Area All people Total Percentage 
		
		
			 England 49,561,800 9,100,700 18.4 
			 
			 Blackpool 141,900 32,100 22.6 
			 Wyre 106,800 27,400 25.7 
		
	
	(10) Pensionable age is 65 and over for males and 60 and over for females.
	Source :
	2002 Mid-year population estimates, Office for National Statistics
	Although mid-year population estimates for primary care organisation areas are not available, population information is available for health areas from the 2001 Census. The following table shows the 10 primary care organisations in England which had the highest percentage of people of pensionable age at the time of the 2001 Census. The figures have been extracted from Table CAS001 on the "Census 2001 Census Area Statistics (CAS) for health areas in England and Wales" DVD, which is available on request from Census Customer Services (census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk).
	Figures for Blackpool unitary authority area, Wyre local authority area and England have also been included for comparison.
	
		Percentage of people of pensionable age, areas as shown, 2001 Census -- Number, percentage
		
			   People of pensionable age(11) 
			 Area All people Total Percentage 
		
		
			 England 49,138,831 9,025,373 18.4 
			 
			 Blackpool 142,283 32,139 22.6 
			 Wyre 105,618 26,868 25.4 
			 
			 Bexhill and Rother 87,402 27,745 31.2 
			 East Devon 118,200 36,601 30.6 
			 South and East Dorset 146,872 44,772 30.5 
			 Tendring 136,458 40,350 29.6 
			 Eastbourne Downs 165,692 48,390 29.2 
			 North Norfolk 98,382 28,439 28.9 
			 Adur, Arun and Worthing 215,187 57,518 26.7 
			 Western Sussex 207,384 54,849 26.4 
			 Fylde 73,217 18,964 25.9 
			 Torbay 129,706 33,347 25.7 
		
	
	(11) Pensionable age is 65 and over for males and 60 and over for females.
	Source:
	Table CAS001 Census 2001 Census Area Statistics (CAS) for health areas in England and Wales.

Podiatry

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what operations are performed by non-medically qualified consultant podiatric surgeons in the NHS.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Podiatry

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) podiatrists, (b) podiatric surgeons and (c) consultant podiatric surgeons are employed in the NHS.

John Hutton: Specific information is not collected centrally on the number of podiatric surgeons or consultant podiatric surgeons employed in the national health service. As at September 2003, there were 3,807 qualified chiropodists and podiatrists employed in the NHS, an increase of 521 or 16 per cent. since 1997.

Public Health White Paper

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the public health White Paper.

Melanie Johnson: We plan to publish our White Paper on improving people's health in the autumn.

Radioactivity

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ascertain whether there is a general tendency for enhanced health risks to be found in populations living near areas of operations involving radioactive elements.

Melanie Johnson: In 1983, the Black advisory group was commissioned by the Government to investigate reports of a high incidence of leukaemia occurring in young people living in the village of Seascale, three kilometres from the Sellafield nuclear site and the suggestion that there might be an association between the leukaemia incidence and the radioactive discharges from Sellafield. The advisory group confirmed that there was a higher incidence of leukaemia in young people resident in the area but also concluded that the estimated radiation dose from the Sellafield discharges and other sources, received by the local population, could not account for the observed leukaemia incidence on the basis of knowledge available at that time. The uncertainties in the available data led the advisory group to make recommendations for further research.. The committee on medical aspects of radiation in the environment (COMARE) was established in November 1985 in response to the final recommendation of the report of the independent advisory group chaired by Sir Douglas Black (Black, 1984). Its terms of reference are to:
	"assess and advise Government and the Devolved Authorities on the health effects of natural and man-made radiation in the environment and to assess the adequacy of the available data and the need for further research".
	Since that time, COMARE has produced eight reports concerning possible health effects from exposure to environmental radiation.

School Meals

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the health implications of the nutritional content of school meals.

Melanie Johnson: The food that children consume has significant health implications and we are taking it seriously. Work is under way to address this concern within schools including the Choosing Health? consultation that will inform a public health White Paper later this year.

Sexual Health

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance is given to local authorities on the suitability of NHS safe sex information material for (a) schools, (b) youth clubs and (c) other venues frequented by teenagers; and if he will make a statement on the process by which this material was judged suitable for educational purposes;
	(2)  how many councils have received NHS safe sex information materials; how many have indicated that they are unsuitable; and what estimate he has made of the number of boroughs in which they are being used in schools and youth clubs;
	(3)  what procedures are in place to evaluate (a) the take up and (b) the effectiveness of NHS safe sex information material.

Melanie Johnson: Lack of clear and accurate information for young people about sexual health is one of the key factors contributing to the high rates of unintended teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. The teenage pregnancy strategy produces materials for young people through the "RU Thinking"? information campaign, to enable them to make informed, responsible choices. These materials are tested with young people and parents and are available for local teenage pregnancy strategies to disseminate in relevant community settings for young people. The choice of the most appropriate venues to reach young people is for local discretion, and no information is held centrally on this.
	In addition, the Department has funded the national "Sex Lottery campaign", which aims to raise awareness of sexually transmitted infections and promote safer sex among the 18 to 30 age group. Campaign materials are carefully targeted at this older audience and are not directly promoted for use in schools. Evaluation indicates that the campaign is effective in changing behaviour.
	At local level it is the responsibility of primary care trusts to provide sexual health services, including sexual health promotion, to meet the needs of their local populations. The Department has published guidance on good practice in sexual health promotion, which includes guidance on working with young people, to support them in this role—Effective Sexual Health Promotion, June 2003, available at www.dh.gov.uk. Information is not held centrally on local safer sex materials produced at local level or how these are distributed and evaluated.
	In respect of the suitability of materials used in schools, under the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) sex and relationships education (SRE) guidance, schools remain under a firm obligation to use materials that are in accordance with both the personal social and health education framework and the law. Teachers and schools, in consultation with parents, must use their professional judgment to ensure that pupils are protected from teaching and materials that are inappropriate, having regard to the age and cultural background of the pupils concerned. The Government does not promote or endorse specific classroom materials.

Smokies

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the Department keeps records of human health problems arising from the consumption of smokies;
	(2)  whether the Department has commissioned work from the Food Standards Agency on the legal production of smokies;
	(3)  whether the Department keeps figures on the trade in smokies in the UK;
	(4)  whether his Department has commissioned studies on smokies production.

Melanie Johnson: holding answers 5 July 2004
	Production of smokies, which are singed carcases of sheep and goats, mainly sheep, with skin attached, is not permitted by European Union food safety legislation, which requires all sheep and goat carcases to be completely flayed as part of the dressing process. Trade in such products is therefore illegal.
	The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which is responsible for food safety legislation in the United Kingdom, is aware of the existence of an illegal trade in smokies, particularly to certain ethnic communities, but does not hold data on the size of the trade.
	The FSA collects information about foodborne disease, but information about health problems arising from the consumption of smokies is not collected separately. No outbreaks associated with the consumption of smokies have been reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) communicable disease surveillance centre. In addition to this, case control studies conducted by the HPA and the former Public Health Laboratory Service have not identified smokies as a risk factor for sporadic infection.
	Because of the potential public health risks posed by illegally produced smokies, the FSA has commissioned research to determine whether smokies can be produced safely. The research aims to investigate whether a hygienic procedure and acceptable meat inspection is possible when producing sheep carcases with the "skin-on". If such procedures could be identified, the FSA may consider seeking changes to European Union legislation to permit such production. Results of the research should be available by November 2005.

Smoking

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the smoking rate for manual groups in England was in each year since 1990.

Melanie Johnson: The information is shown in the table.
	
		Prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults aged 16 and over, by socio-economic group of household reference person, England, 1990 to 2002 -- Percentage
		
			  Non-manual Manual Total 
		
		
			 Unweighted
			 1990 24 35 29 
			 1992 23 33 28 
			 1994 21 32 26 
			 1996 22 34 28 
			 1998 21 32 27 
			 
			 Weighted
			 1998 22 33 28 
			 2000 23 31 27 
			 2001 21 32 27 
			 2002 20 31 26 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. In 2001, the National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification (NS-SEC) was introduced for all official statistics and surveys. It replaces Social Class based on occupation and Socio-Economic Group (SEG). There is no longer a manual/non-manual split in the NS-SEC, however, the old socio-economic groupings have been recreated in order to continue monitoring the Cancer Plan target.
	2. In 2000, the decision was made to weight the data to compensate for under representation of people in some groups. The table shows weighted and unweighted data for 1998 to give an indication of the effect of weighting. Caution should be exercised when comparing weighted data for 2000 onwards with unweighted data for previous years.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics, "Living in Britain: Results from the General Household Survey", 1990 to 2002.

Health Professionals Training Costs

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 159W, on health professionals training costs, whether the costs cover the whole training course.

John Hutton: The figures in the previous answer cover tuition costs only for the whole length of the course. In addition, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy students could be entitled to a means tested bursary, which in 2003–04 averaged £3,696 per annum. The cost of training post-registration health visiting and district nursing students excludes their pre-registration training costs of £19,370, excluding bursaries.

Treatment Costs

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS of treating (a) illnesses attributable to smoking, (b) illnesses attributable to obesity, (c) diabetes and (d) diabetes in children was in the last year for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: Smoking costs the national health service up to £1.7 billion a year in England.
	The National Audit Office report "Tackling Obesity in England" estimated that the cost to the NHS of treating the consequences of obesity in 1998 was approximately £469.9 million per year.
	Information is not collected centrally on how much is spent on the treatment of diabetes. However, using the results of a study undertaken in Glamorgan in the mid-1990s 1 it has been estimated that around 5 per cent. of total national health service resources are used for the care of people with diabetes.
	1 (NHS acute sector expenditure for diabetes: the present, future, and excess in-patient cost of care. Currie CJ, "et al". 1997. "Diabetic Medicine," 14: 686–692).

Waste Management

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) targets and (b) strategies there are in the NHS (i) to minimise waste and manage waste sustainably, (ii) to reduce energy use and (iii) to encourage sustainable procurement; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: For the national health service in England, there is one target in respect of these areas, which is for the reduction of energy consumption by 15 per cent., or 0.15 million tonnes carbon between 2000 and 2010.
	To assist the NHS work towards minimising waste and encouraging sustainable waste management and procurement, NHS Estates (NHSE) has published best practice advice, guidance and software tools. Additional guidance for procurement has been developed by NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency (PASA). NHSE has issued a new environmental strategy for the NHS in England to enable trusts to set local strategies and action plans in respect of waste, energy, procurement, transport and water. Further work is being developed to produce a total waste management strategy with PASA and also an energy/carbon strategy for use by trusts later this year.

Wind Turbines

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has collated on the health implications of infrasound emitted by wind turbines.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 11 March 2004
	The Department has funded work on the effects of environmental noise on health, but this has not included noise produced by wind farms.

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 30 June 2004, Official Report, column 299, on US abuses of Iraqi detainees, when British intelligence officers first became aware of abuses against Iraqi detainees by American personnel; when they advised the UK Government of these abuses, when their concerns were made known to the US authorities and at what level; and what response the US authorities made.

Tony Blair: As my letter to the Intelligence and Security Committee made clear, none of the UK intelligence personnel interviewing detainees witnessed any evidence of detainee abuse of the type that the United States authorities have acknowledged occurred in Iraq.
	The Intelligence and Security Committee has made clear that they will be taking further evidence on these issues and the Government will cooperate fully with them.

ISC Annual Report

Chris Ruane: To ask the Prime Minister when he will respond to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual Report 2003–04.

Tony Blair: I am today laying before the House the Government's Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual Report for 2003–04. Copies have also been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Lockerbie

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2004, Official Report, column 1065W, on Lockerbie, when he expects to inform the families of the outcome.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to my previous answer.

TREASURY

Aviation (VAT)

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue that would be raised if VAT at 17.5 per cent. were imposed on all commercial flights within the UK.

John Healey: The lack of price data means it is not possible to estimate accurately the revenue from a 17.5 per cent. sales tax on the purchase of tickets for commercial flight departures, Airline tickets are already subject to Air Passenger Duty at rates ranging from £5 to £40 per flight, depending on the class of travel and the destination.

Aviation (VAT)

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue that would be raised if aviation fuel for all commercial flights within the UK were taxed at the same rate as petrol for cars.

John Healey: Figures for aviation turbine fuel consumption on domestic flights are not collected. It is therefore not possible to estimate the potential revenue gain from charging duty at the petrol road fuel duty rate on aviation turbine fuel consumed on domestic flights.
	In addition, the Government do not accept such direct comparisons as valid, nor do they have an objective of equalising the tax treatment across transport modes so do not regard any such figures as relevant to judgments on the taxation of aviation.

Child Benefit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when the Government plans to remove the limit on hours for education and unwaged training in child benefit;
	(2)  when the Government plans to remove the distinction between education and unwaged training in eligibility for (a) child tax credit and (b) child benefit.

Dawn Primarolo: As my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his 2004 Budget report, the Government intend to introduce a package of short-term measures to improve choice, deliver minimum income standards and offer a more individualised, professional service to young people. As part of this package, we will introduce at the earliest opportunity a Bill to facilitate the removal of the distinction between education and unwaged training in child benefit.
	Changes to the child tax credit rules will be made alongside any changes to child benefit.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter to him dated 11 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Fatima Qanyare.

Dawn Primarolo: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 30 June.

Diesel Fuel (Duty Levels)

Frank Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to raise the duty levels on diesel fuel for leisure boats.

John Healey: The Chancellor considers all relevant environmental, economic and social factors in deciding taxation policy. He announces any changes to taxation policy in the context of his Budget Statement.

Duty Free Concessions

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional revenue would be raised, assuming no change in the level of sales, if duty free concessions for persons travelling abroad on alcohol, tobacco and VAT were abolished.

John Healey: No such estimate is available.

Duty Free Concessions

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what international treaties prevent the ending of duty free concessions for persons travelling abroad on alcohol, tobacco and VAT.

John Healey: There is no international treaty that prevents the ending of duty free allowances for travellers.

Insurance Mediation

Richard Bacon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment was made of the impact of the Insurance Mediation Directive Regulations on the UK property and construction sectors before their introduction;
	(2)  how many secondary insurance intermediaries the Financial Services Authority (FSA) estimates there are in the UK, broken down by sector; how many the FSA estimates will (a) apply for authorisation, (b) become appointed representatives and (c) cease activities when the new regulatory regime for general insurance is introduced in January 2005; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many applications the Financial Services Authority has received to date for authorisation to undertake insurance mediations (a) in total and (b) from secondary intermediaries, broken down by sector;
	(4)  which organisations the Financial Services Authority sent copies of consultation paper CP174; which organisations responded; and with which organisations the FSA held meetings;
	(5)  which sector the secondary intermediary which participated in the work of the Financial Services Authority on consultation paper CP174 came.

Ruth Kelly: The regulations to bring the selling of insurance into the scope of FSA regulation implement the European Union's Insurance Mediation Directive. The Directive requires the UK to regulate everyone who sells general insurance. This includes those firms where the selling of insurance is an "incidental" part of the firm's business. The Government have no discretion to exclude insurance in particular sectors, such as the property and construction sector from regulation. The only exclusions the Directive permits are limited to extended warranties costing less than €500 per annum and travel insurance sold as part of a package with a holiday.
	The Government have consulted widely on the regulatory regime, publishing a public consultation document including draft regulations and a draft regulatory impact assessment in October 2002. Following analysis of the responses to the consultation, Parliament approved legislation on 24 June 2003. The activities to be regulated are: introducing, proposing or carrying out other work preparatory to the conclusion of contracts of insurance; assisting in the administration and performance of such contracts, in particular in the event of a claim; and concluding contracts of insurance. In drawing up its rules for insurance mediation, the FSA has carried out extensive public consultations and cost benefit analyses on its rules. Further information is available from the FSA's website, www.fsa.gov.uk.
	In implementing the Directive, the Government have sought to work closely with interested parties to develop an approach which is proportionate and which meets our obligations under European law. In drawing up its rules, the FSA has carried out public consultations and cost benefit analyses. Both the FSA and the Government have been careful to take account of the impact on small businesses. For example the FSA sets fees according to the volume of business that a firm undertakes, with application fees being lowest for the smallest firms.
	The Government have held detailed discussions with a range of organisations regarding implementation of the Directive. Bodies representing the property and construction sectors have been aware of the Directive for some time. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) had initial discussions with the FSA a year ago and recently approached the Treasury with more detailed concerns. My officials met with representatives from the RICS to discuss these concerns and we are carefully considering the issues raised.
	For operational purposes, the FSA estimates 20,000 new firms will apply for direct authorisation as a result of the introduction of the new regulatory regimes for mortgages and general insurance. Secondary intermediaries in the general insurance market represent about 40 per cent. of the forecast population.
	To date FSA has received 6,786 applications from firms applying to conduct insurance related activities, of which 2,693 are from secondary intermediaries. Of these around 80 per cent. are from the motor sector and the remainder from the retail and services sectors.
	FSA consultation papers are publicly available on the FSA website and hard copies are available on request from the FSA. The FSA have ensured that all consultation publications on the regulation of mortgage firms and insurance intermediaries, including CP174, have been supported with an introductory 'newsletter'. Copies of the newsletters were mailed via relevant current voluntary regulators, trade associations and insurance product providers to approximately 28,500 intermediaries and potentially affected firms. The FSA also held several seminars, at no cost to attendees, around the UK which included an overview of our consultation and a questions and answer session.
	With respect to CP174, there is a list of non-confidential respondents to the CP at Annex 1 to Policy Statement 174, published in September. This is available on the FSA website. When firms participate in surveys such as the one carried out for the CP174 Cost Benefit Analysis the FSA gives the firms a guarantee of confidentiality.
	The diversity of interest and needs among the Mortgage and General Insurance population means that trade associations and other industry groups' role in developing the awareness of their members is critical, which is why the FSA have worked closely with such groups. The FSA has made contact with every group it has identified as affected by regulation. For more than a year, the FSA have been running an extensive communications strategy for firms incorporating press and media work, advertising, direct mail, a website, speaking programme, industry training, trade association liaison and production of a suite of guidance materials.

International Finance Facility

Tom Brake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the countries which (a) have indicated support for and (b) have agreed to participate in the International Finance Facility initiative since its inception.

John Healey: 37 countries have recently made statements of endorsement for the IFF, urging donors to implement the proposal. Among the G7, France has been a firm supporter of the IFF, recently hosting a Ministerial Forum on Financing for Development attended by over 55 countries where the IFF was a major topic for discussion. We are continuing to work with other potential donors to resolve any technical concerns regarding the proposal. As we move towards the UK Presidencies of the G8 and EU in 2005, we hope to build on the support we have already received to make significant progress on the proposal.

Means-tested Benefits

Peter Viggers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the means-tested benefits available through the Department and the agencies for which it is responsible (a) in May 1997 and (b) now.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue administers the child and working tax credits, entitlement to which is related to claimants' annual income. Child tax credit is available to nine out 10 families with children, on family income of up to £58,000 a year. These tax credits were introduced in April 2003, replacing working families' and disabled person's tax credits and the children's tax credit.

National Care Standards Commission

Anne Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to widen the eligibility criteria for registration with the National Care Standards Commission to include agencies that do not provide personal care for the elderly but do provide domestic care and pay VAT.

Stephen Ladyman: I have been asked to reply.
	There are currently no plans to widen the eligibility criteria for registration with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) to include agencies that provide domestic care, but not personal care, for older people. CSCI took over the regulation of social care services from the National Care Standards Commission on 1 April 2004.

PFI Projects (Environmental Impact)

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that private finance initiative projects for which his Department is responsible create the minimum of environmental damage.

Paul Boateng: The Treasury has no PFI projects in planning or construction.

VAT (Children's Clothing)

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the Value Added Tax regulations for children's clothing to enable clothing for larger children to be exempt from VAT; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Under the long-standing formal agreements with our European partners, we are not able to extend or add to the current list of zero rates. The EU law provides for zero-rating of "Articles designed as clothing or footwear for young children and not suitable for older persons".
	The relief is limited to children under 14 and following a review which the Government undertook with the industry and others, the scope of the zero rate was simplified and modernised in Budget 2001 to reflect more accurately the size of the average 13-year-old child. Some children under 14 who are above average size will still not benefit from relief, but their measurements will be largely indistinguishable from those of many adults.
	The current rules ensure that the retailer knows exactly which items are zero-rated and which are standard-rated, and can set their prices accordingly. This also ensures a consistent application of the relief, and prevents children's clothes being treated differently by different retailers.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bovine TB

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a farm may contain animals suspected of bovine TB infection in an approved isolation unit before having them tested using a tuberculosis test.

Ben Bradshaw: The Tuberculosis (England and Wales) Order 1984 (as amended) requires a person who has in his possession an animal suspected of being affected with bovine TB to notify the suspicion.
	The Order also requires animals affected by bovine TB (such as reactors pending removal), and animals suspected of being affected (such as inconclusive reactors pending retest or suspected clinical cases pending veterinary examination), to be isolated from other bovine animals on the premises.

Bovine TB

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether an individual farmer may carry out a private tuberculosis test on any of his cattle suspected of having contracted bovine TB.

Ben Bradshaw: The Tuberculosis (England and Wales) Order 1984 (as amended) specifically prohibits the testing of bovine animals with tuberculin except with the consent of the appropriate Minister. The Divisional Veterinary Manager may give permission to a local veterinary inspector privately to carry out a TB test where such a test is not required for statutory TB controls. However, where animals are suspected of having TB (or where reactors or inconclusive reactors have already been disclosed) private tests will not be authorised, as such testing might compromise disease control measures carried out under the direction of the State Veterinary Service.

Bovine TB

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the circumstances in which an animal is obliged to have a tuberculosis skin test for bovine TB.

Ben Bradshaw: There are four main reasons for testing cattle for bovine TB:
	1. Routine testing of cattle herds for surveillance purposes. This is done at intervals ranging from one to four years depending on the incidence of TB in cattle herds in each parish.
	2. Testing of all animals in a herd at 60-day intervals, following the disclosure of TB and in order to regain the officially TB free status. This is followed by testing at six and 18 months after the withdrawal of TB restrictions, in order to check that the herd has remained free from TB.
	3. Ad hoc testing can be instigated at any time by the DVM in order to check the status of entire herds following, for instance, confirmation of TB in contiguous cattle herds, culture positive RTA badger carcases, suspected cases of TB found during routine meat inspection or where TB is traced back from cattle movements into a herd where TB has been confirmed.
	4. Testing of individual animals (inconclusive reactors, imported cattle and forward traced animals from infected herds).

Cars (Environmental Impact)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards (a) developing labelling of emissions on cars and (b) an energy efficiency scheme for cars similar to that on electrical goods.

David Jamieson: It has been a legal requirement in the UK since 1977 for labels giving fuel economy information to be fixed to all new cars on display in showrooms. More recently, requirements for the labelling of passenger cars were introduced into UK law in the form of regulations implementing EU Directive 1999/94/EC. These regulations require a label to be displayed on all new car models in showrooms, listing their CO 2 emissions performance and fuel consumption. Manufacturers must also include these same figure in all printed adverts, brochures and manuals.
	The European Commission is currently in the process of reviewing Directive 1000/94/EC. As part of this review, it has commissioned consultants to evaluate the effectiveness of the Directive's current provisions. This review may conclude that the Directive should be amended to require the labels to have an A-G style format, similar to that already used in labels on some electrical goods. The UK has made clear to the European Commission that it would favour such an approach.
	In parallel, the UK Government has asked the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) to develop a proposal for a voluntary UK car labelling scheme, with an A-G style energy efficiency format. The Government hopes that the Partnership will reach agreement on the scope and format of such a label later this year. This would allow a new A-G style energy efficiency label for passenger cars to be introduced in the UK on a voluntary basis during 2005, as an interim measure in advance of any similar mandatory EU label.

Cormorants

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the protection afforded to cormorants; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds including the cormorant. This Act implements the EC Wild Birds Directive in Great Britain. There are no plans to review the protected status of the cormorant.
	However, we have accepted for some time that cormorants can and do cause damage to certain fisheries. For this reason the Department issues individual licences under Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to allow cormorants to be killed or taken as an aid to scaring. It is our firm intention, and the legislation requires, that licences will not be issued to applicants who have not tried all reasonable non-lethal methods (such as refuges) to resolve problems. However, despite seeking alternative solutions, problems do persist in certain areas which is why we are actively considering measures that could help fishery owners and angling clubs deal with the increasing problem of predation by cormorants.
	Deliberations are at an early stage but will include a basic review of the licensing system which may result in further limited and controlled killing of cormorants to aid scaring but without compromising the conservation status of the cormorant.

DecaBDE

Beverley Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the status is of the European Risk Assessment for DecaBDE; whether there are restrictions applied to the future use of this product; and whether the voluntary initiatives relating to this product are supported by the Government.

Alun Michael: An environmental risk assessment of deca-BDE has been carried out under the Existing Substances Regulation (EC) 793/93. At the EU Competent Authorities' meeting in Dublin on 26 May 2004 it was agreed that this assessment be closed and the risk assessment published. Part of the package put forward by the UK and agreed by other member states is that the monitoring programme and the product stewardship emission reduction programme be regularly audited and monitored, with the programme lasting six years with a possible extension to 10 years if necessary. The published risk assessment would be reviewed in light of any relevant new data in this monitoring period. Any future risk reduction action resulting from this new data and associated restrictions would be discussed and agreed. The UK Government supports both these initiatives.
	France has led the risk assessment process addressing human health, and has not requested risk reduction activity, though they wish to see more data on neurotoxicity. The industry has agreed to conduct the appropriate studies.

Departmental Staff

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people have left employment in her Department because of (a) anxiety, (b) stress, (c) depression and (d) other mental health reasons in each year since 1997.

Alun Michael: Defra does not hold information on the reasons why staff .leave the Department at the level of detail requested. The number of Medical Retirement certificates issued for reasons of mental disorder in each year since Defra was created in 2001 was between zero and five (the actual numbers cannot be provided due to reasons of confidentiality).

English Nature

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many judicial reviews brought against English Nature between 1997 and 2003 in the House of Lords were (a) unsuccessful and (b) resulted in an order for costs being made against the applicant; and what the costs awarded were in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: A judicial review commences in the High Court, with any appeal against that decision having to be made to Court of Appeal. Any appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision would then be made to the House of Lords.
	English Nature has not been a party to any House of Lords hearing between 1997 and 2003.

English Nature

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for judicial review against English Nature were granted permission to proceed in the (a) High Court, (b) Court of Appeal and (c) House of Lords in each year between 1997 and 2003 by (i) individuals, (ii) non-governmental organisations and (ii) corporate entities.

Ben Bradshaw: Application for judicial review can be made only to the High Court. Appeals arising from the High Court case can be made to the Court of Appeal and then on to the House of Lords. Details for the years requested are as follows:
	
		
			  Individuals Non-governmental organisations Corporate entities 
		
		
			 High Court
			 1997–2000 0 0 0 
			 2001 1 0 1 
			 2002 0 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 1(12) 
			 
			 Court of Appeal 
			 1997–2002 0 0 0 
			 2003 1 0 0 
			 
			 House of Lords 
			 1997–2003 0 0 0 
		
	
	(12) The Court of Appeal granted leave to appeal in 2004, with the hearing commencing in 2004.

English Nature

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many judicial reviews brought against English Nature between 1997 and 2003 in the (a) High Court, (b) Court of Appeal and (c) House of Lords (i) were successful and (ii) resulted in an order for costs being made against English Nature; and what costs were awarded in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: English Nature has been successful in all proceedings brought between 1997 and 2003.

European Union Landscape Convention

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to sign the European Union Landscape Convention.

Alun Michael: I am actively considering whether or not the United Kingdom should sign and ratify the Council of Europe's European Landscape Convention. On 7 June I wrote to ministerial colleagues in those departments which have an interest in the Convention, setting out my proposals. Following consideration of the responses, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will seek the agreement of Government colleagues to the appropriate course of action.

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost per farm is of the introduction of integrated pollution prevention and control requirements.

Elliot Morley: The Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (the PPC Regulations), which implement the 1996 EC Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), apply to large intensive livestock installations with more than 40,000 places for poultry, 2000 places for production pigs, or 750 places for sows. IPPC will ensure that the environmental impacts of these farms are assessed and minimised. New farms must apply for a PPC permit before they can carry out their operations and existing farms must apply for a permit by 31 January 2007.
	Regulators are required by statute to recover their costs from the operators they regulate. In England and Wales, the Environment Agency has made a particular effort to lower the cost of regulation through the development of an 'off the shelf' permit for farmers, provided that they can comply with "Standard Farming Installation Rules". In the period 2004–05, the standard fee for a PPC permit application is 3,024. Once a permit is issued, the Environment Agency will charge an annual subsistence fee to cover the costs incurred in assessing compliance and maintaining the permit. These fees are 2,095 for a standard permit holder or 2,626 for the largest farms (more than 400,000 poultry, 20,000 production pigs, or 7,500 sows). For the purposes of the permit application, some farmers may decide to employ consultants to help them to complete the necessary records, audits and plans. The Standard Farming Rules, which were developed in consultation with industry, are based on "Best Available Techniques" (BAT) that aims to balance the cost to the operator against the benefits to the environment. Some of these techniques may be expensive, particularly for those older farms that have suffered from lack of capital investment in recent years. The changes will be sought through improvement conditions established on a farm-by-farm basis, at timescales agreed between the Environment Agency and the farmer.

Special Areas of Conservation

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the criteria are for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) status; what scientific objections have been raised about the suitability of the peat bog areas at Bolton Fell Moss and Solway Moss as SACs; and when she expects a decision to be made about designating these peat bog areas as SACs.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 5 July 2004
	The criteria for SAC selection status is set out in Annex III of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Bolton Fell Moss and Solway Moss are being considered for SAC status for the presence of the habitat type "degraded raised bogs capable of natural regeneration". Scientific objections remain to be resolved concerning the areas of both sites that can be naturally restored. A decision will be made regarding designation once negotiations between English Nature and the objectors are complete.

TRANSPORT

A303

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to dual the A303.

Alistair Darling: There are a number of possible schemes to improve the A303, which are being considered at present. The scheme at Stonehenge is already part of the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) and has recently been the subject of a Public Inquiry.
	The Highways Agency is carrying out further work on four schemes, to the east of Ilminster. These are: Sparkford to Ilchester; Wylye to Stockton Wood; Chicklade Botton-Mere and the Ilminster bypass.
	To the west of Ilminster, two options are being considered for the section of the A303 between Ilminster and Exeter. Announcements will be made in due course about the outcome of this consideration and the addition of any further schemes to the TPI.

Civil Aviation Authority

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total value was of (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by the Civil Aviation Authority in each year since 2001.

Tony McNulty: The information requested for the Civil Aviation Authority is as follows:
	
		(a) Total technical and financial contracts
		
			 Financial year ended 31 March £ 
		
		
			 2002 3,614,410.14 
			 2003 4,315,958.54 
			 2004 3,808,328.95 
		
	
	(b) Technical consultants used on a call-off basis
	I am informed that the Civil Aviation Authority does not hold call-off contracts for technical consultants.
	
		(c) Financial consultants used on a call-off basis
		
			 Financial year ended 31 March £ 
		
		
			 2002 0.00 
			 2003 46,675.00 
			 2004 0.00

Departmental Expenditure

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's expenditure was for each financial year from 2000–01 on (a) public opinion research, (b) television advertising, (c) radio advertising, (d) newspaper advertising, (e) other advertising and (f) direct mail.

Tony McNulty: Expenditure figures for the last two financial years are set out as follows, with the majority of advertising spend being devoted to the THINK! road safety campaign.
	In the financial year 2003–04 the Department spent £6 million on TV advertising, £2.5 million on radio advertising, £538,000 on print advertising, £89,000 on direct mail and £1.3 million on other advertising, including cinema.
	In the financial year 2002–03, £5.6 million was spent on TV advertising, £2.6 million on radio advertising, £205,000 on print media advertising, £246,000 on direct mail (primarily on the Airports Consultation Campaign), and £1.1 million was spent on other advertising including cinema. Advertising to support the Airports consultation campaign comprised radio advertising costing £25,000 and print media advertising at £274,000.
	£274,000 was devoted to print media advertising to promote the Travelling (public transport information line) campaign and print media advertising for the Vehicle Identity Checking campaign cost £122,000.
	The figures for public opinion research have been given in the answer to PQ numbers 2322 03–04 and 2323 03–04 tabled separately by the hon. Member.
	Breaking down the transport component of advertising for 2000–01 and 2001–02 could be done only at disproportionate cost as the Department for Transport was created in May 2002. In those previous two years, advertising expenditure supported the wider aims of the then Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of new heavy goods vehicle drivers needed by the industry in (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect on the supply of heavy goods vehicle drivers of the implementation in 2005 of the Working Hours Directive; and what discussions he has had with the haulage industry on this subject.

David Jamieson: The Department has not made any detailed estimates by year of the industry's needs for new HGV drivers. But it is recognised that the key change in the need for HGV drivers will result from the introduction of EU working time legislation for road transport. In our regulatory impact assessment published last October we estimated that this will require around 12,000 extra drivers.
	We have discussed the impact of the directive with representatives from the unions, the trade bodies and other key stakeholders in the road transport sector, and our plans for implementing the Directive were the subject of a full consultation exercise. Through the Road Haulage Forum we have been discussing with the industry the wider issues about recruitment and retention of HGV drivers, and the Government continues to fund projects to help the industry raise the profile of the profession and improve its image.

Railways

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many Rail Passenger Partnership scheme applications there were in each year from 2002–03 to date; and what the (a) status and (b) amount of (i) Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and (ii) non-SRA support is for each scheme that has been approved;
	(2)  if he will list the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme applications received by the Strategic Rail Authority in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05 classified as (i) medium and (ii) major applications which received pre-qualified status; and what the total funding requested was in each case.

Tony McNulty: The information is not readily available in precisely the form requested. Two tables have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The first table shows committed SRA funding for RPP schemes between 2002–03 and 2004–05, and the total value of funding committed for these schemes by other sponsors. SRA funding for some of these schemes will continue beyond 2004–05. 44 bids were deferred by the SRA due to the suspension of the RPP fund in January 2003. These were bids that were under consideration by the SRA but which had not yet been approved. The SRA has accepted no new bids for RPP funds since it suspended the scheme in January 2003. However, funding started for a number of schemes in 2003–04. These were schemes that had been approved by the SRA before January 2003 and which the SRA subsequently contractualised.
	The second table shows all schemes to date that were abandoned after having been approved by the SRA. In addition, the SRA has rejected 45 bids where funding was sought between 2002–03 and 2004–5. In some case bids can be rejected before they pre-qualify.
	Schemes might be abandoned or rejected for a number of reasons including withdrawal of the bid by the sponsor, failure to meet the SRA's value for money and affordability criteria or failure to secure adequate third party sponsorship.

Vehicle Certification Agency

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total value was of (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by the Vehicle Certification Agency in each year since 2001.

David Jamieson: Since 2003–04 one of the Vehicle Certification Agency's Key Performance Indicators requires that a panel of two external technical experts evaluate the Agency's competency in type approval work. The technical experts are used on a call off basis and the total .value of work carried out in 2003–04 was £485.80. The Agency has no other technical contracts.
	The Vehicle Certification Agency does not have any financial contracts, nor has it used any financial consultants since 2001.

Vehicle Certification Agency

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which organisations provided (a) legal, (b) financial and (c) auditing services valued at over £25,000 to the Vehicle Certification Agency in each year since 2001; and what the value of these services was in each case.

David Jamieson: The Vehicle Certification Agency continues to use (and always has) the Department for Transport's legal and internal auditing services and these are soft charged between the Agency and the Department. The value of the legal service provided has not exceeded £25,000 since 2001. The value of internal auditing services has only exceeded £25,000 in 2002–03 and 2003–04 at £33,000 and £38,750 respectively.
	External auditing is required to be carried out by the National Audit Office, the cost of which is soft charged, the value of which was £34,100 in 2000–01, £35,500 in 2001–02, £36,600 in 2002–03 and £43,830 in 2003–04.
	The Vehicle Certification Agency provides it own financial services in-house.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Employment Rights (Clergy)

Ben Chapman: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what recent discussions the Church Commissioners have had with the Department for Trade and Industry on section 23 employment rights for members of the clergy.

Stuart Bell: None, but the Director of the Archbishops' Council's Ministry Division, is playing a full and constructive part in the working group recently established by the DTI to look at this issue.

EU Constitutional Treaty

Anne McIntosh: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners whether the Church Commissioners were consulted on matters relating to reference to religion in the EU Constitutional Treaty; and if he will make a statement.

Stuart Bell: The Archbishops' Council's Community and Public Affairs Unit rather than the Church Commissioners has taken the lead on this issue.
	While much has been made of the debate regarding reference to God in the preamble to the European Constitution, this debate has obscured the significance attached by the churches to Article I-51 that provides for a regular, transparent and open dialogue between the Christian churches and the EU institutions. Conversations are now afoot between Churches and the Government as to how such a dialogue might be structured and maintained.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Civil Service Bill

John Lyons: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment the Department has made of the proposals for a Civil Service Bill put forward by the Public Administration Committee.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government are committed to publishing a draft Civil Service Bill for consultation in this parliamentary session. It will take account of the Public Administration Select Committee's work on a draft Civil Service Bill.

Electoral Register

Alan Beith: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what his estimate is of the total number of persons on the electoral register who are registered at two or more addresses; and what he estimates would be the percentage national turnout figure in a general election at which all registered electors used their legal entitlement to vote.

Christopher Leslie: This information is not collected. Electors registered at more than one address are only legally entitled to vote once in a general election.

National Archives

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs for what reasons the file WO 195/15626 at the National Archives is closed; and if he will open it to the public.

Christopher Leslie: This file is retained by the Ministry of Defence on security grounds under the Lord Chancellor's Instrument LCI 28. Its access status will be reconsidered in 2005.

Pay Systems

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will place in the Library the most recent review of (a) his Department's pay systems, (b) the pay systems of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible and (c) the departmental equal pay action plan.

David Lammy: In response to the Equal Opportunities Task Force report "Just Pay" my Department, in common with other Government Departments and agencies, completed an equality audit of pay in April 2003 and is nearing completion of a similar audit for 2004. A copy of the summaries for both annual audits, and their relevant action plans, will be placed in the Library shortly.
	There are two non-departmental public bodies for which the Parliamentary Secretary is responsible. The Office of the Information Commissioner completed an equality audit of its pay system in 2003. There are no plans to publish the report.
	The Legal Services Commission completed a report on a range of equalities-related monitoring data—covering race and disability as well as gender. This will be published in the Commission's Equalities Annual Report for 2003–04 and made available later this year.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Intellectual Property Rights Forum

Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 25 May 2004, Official Report, column 1548W, on intellectual property rights, when she expects to announce the formation and composition of the forum.

Estelle Morris: An announcement will be made before the House rises.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Regional Assembly Referendums

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what (a) meetings and (b) correspondence the Committee has had since 10 June with the Electoral Commission concerning the regional assembly referendums; and if he will place copies of such correspondence in the Library.

Peter Viggers: The Speaker's Committee is a statutory committee, appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Its locus in relation to the Electoral Commission's stance on policy matters is only to satisfy itself, having regard to any advice from the Treasury and the most recent report and recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the Commission has used its resources, that any Commission Estimate and the accompanying Plan are consistent with the economical, efficient and effective discharge by it of its functions: the Speaker's Committee has no duty or power to exercise oversight of policy positions of the Electoral Commission beyond this.
	Consistent with these principles, there have been no meetings, nor has there been any correspondence, between the Speaker's Committee and the Electoral Commission on the matter of the regional assembly referendums.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much and what proportion of funds held in the Development Fund for Iraq has been paid to foreign firms; for what purpose; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Over 70 per cent. of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) has been for Iraqi ministry operations and expenses: salaries, pensions, operating costs and some used capital project requirements. Much of this is domestic expenditure, although the provision of food and other goods through the public distribution system involves imports from outside Iraq.
	The remaining 30 per cent. has been allocated for reconstruction and rehabilitation projects. Our latest information indicates that between July 2003 and June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) allocated about $6.9 billion, of which approximately $1.8 billion has been disbursed. DFID does not have aggregated data on the nationality of firms that have won contracts for these projects, but some details of the recipients of contracts are available on the CPA website (www.cpa-iraq.org). Many contracts with non-Iraqi firms involve sub-contracts with Iraq firms and employ Iraqi labour.
	The International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) oversees the management of the DFI on behalf of the international community. It is currently auditing the CPA's administration of the DFI and a report is due soon.

Anti-retroviral Drugs

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that health infrastructure, reproductive health supplies and testing kits are in place before anti-retroviral drugs are used on patients in developing countries.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID looks to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for technical guidance on the implementation of anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment programmes. In their recommendations to implement the '3 by 5' initiative to get three million people on treatment by 2005—which DFID supports—WHO outlines the minimum conditions that should be in place before commencing anti-retroviral treatment. These include HIV testing and counselling, trained personnel, an uninterrupted supply of anti-retroviral drugs and a secure and confidential patient record system.
	Almost all DFID support for anti-retroviral drugs will be delivered through the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM). The Fund also requests applicant countries to develop proposals which use international best practices and which coordinate with other initiatives, including '3 by 5'.
	DFID provides substantial support (£1.5 billion since 1997) to strengthen health systems that aim to ensure access to effective, affordable and appropriate health care. This supports staff, critical budgets including drugs, improved planning and management systems and means for monitoring progress.
	DFID also contributes to the provision of reproductive health supplies including condoms through a range of approaches; support to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to ensure security of reproductive health items; funding to GFATM, direct budget support to governments; and substantial project support to governments and NGOs to provide critical supplies and to strengthen access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Forces for Good

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) logistical and (b) practical help the BBC asked of his Department in the preparation of the programme with the working title, Forces for Good; what assistance his Department (i) has provided and (ii) is providing; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The BBC has not asked DFID for any assistance or advice in preparation of the programme with the working title, Forces for Good. Given our current understanding of the programme, DFID has not, nor does it intend to, provide either logistical or practical help.

India (Breast Cancer Screening)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support the UK is providing to India to set up mobile breast cancer screening units.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not currently support the establishment of mobile breast cancer screening units in India.
	DFID does provide substantial support to improve access to and the quality of health care in India, and has played an important role in getting donors to work more closely together to support Government of India plans for an integrated, sector-wide approach to health care. Priority health programmes currently supported by DFID include action to tackle HIV/AIDS, improve reproductive and child health, and eradicate polio. Total DFID financial support to the health sector to improve health outcomes in India in 2004–05 is likely to exceed £73.25 million.

Military and Humanitarian Operations

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations have been made to (a) him and (b) his Department since January 2003 by representatives of (i) non-governmental organisations and (ii) multinational organisations concerning the distinction between military forces and operations and humanitarian organisations and relief efforts; what examples were given; what the outcome was; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID believes that military involvement in the direct provision of humanitarian assistance should be undertaken only in exceptional circumstances and at the request of the relevant humanitarian co-ordinator. Humanitarian assistance should be apolitical. In a conflict environment any perception that there are links between military forces and the delivery of humanitarian assistance may jeopardise the humanitarian community's access to populations in need and render beneficiaries and workers more vulnerable to attack.
	DFID conducts continuing dialogue with the humanitarian community and military forces to develop a better understanding of respective mandates and sensitivities. DFID officials meet regularly with non-governmental organisations operating in conflict environments, to discuss the range of humanitarian issues relevant to particular crises and where appropriate, these discussions include civil/military issues.
	I met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee on 28 April 2004. During our meeting, we discussed the boundaries between the role of military and humanitarian workers. I invited the Disasters Emergency Committee to inform me of specific incidences of problems with the civil/military interface in conflict situations and they undertook to do so when necessary. This issue has also been raised with me by NGO's.

Occupied Palestinian Territories

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of people dependent on food aid in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Hilary Benn: According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Programme, approximately 1.7 million Palestinians in 2003 were dependent on some form of food aid. With rising poverty and unemployment, the food security situation has considerably deteriorated over the past three years. Food insecurity is a reality for 40 per cent. of the population and a considerable worry for a further 30 per cent. who are under threat of becoming food insecure should current conditions persist. People's access to food and farmers ability to produce food have been severely affected by restrictions on the movement of people and goods and the damages to personal property.

Somalia

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts his Department has undertaken to analyse the impact on the humanitarian situation in Somalia of the return of failed Somali asylum seekers.

Hilary Benn: The Home Office has returned only a small number of failed asylum seekers to Somalia this year. The impact of such small numbers on the overall humanitarian situation would be negligible.

CABINET OFFICE

Emergency Planning

Adrian Flook: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people were employed by each local authority in the South West on emergency planning in each of the last three years; and if he will estimate the number employed in each case in 2004–05.

Douglas Alexander: While decisions about staffing of any local authority service is a matter for individual authorities, the Government are committed through the Civil Contingencies Bill, presently before Parliament, to establishing a clear framework of roles and responsibilities for local responders.

Public Appointments (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the process is for selection of the Constable of the Castle of Lancaster; and who makes the final decision on appointment.

Douglas Alexander: While the Constable of Lancaster Castle is a personal honorary appointment of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Her Duchy of Lancaster, the Duchy of Lancaster consult the Lord-Lieutenant as the Queen's personal representative in Lancashire, and takes soundings from the local area. A recommendation is made by me as the Chancellor to Her Majesty the Queen as a result of the Duchy of Lancaster inquiries.

Public Bodies Document

Tony Wright: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office why, and when, it was decided to discontinue publication in hard copy of the annual Public Bodies document.

Douglas Alexander: I took the decision in 2003, prior to the issue of "Public Bodies 2003". It was taken in connection with a move from a paper directory towards an on-line searchable database. Last year represented a transitional phase where the directory was made available on the Cabinet Office website as a .pdf file. However, we made arrangements to deposit printouts of "Public Bodies 2003" from the website in the Library.
	As I announced in my reply to the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey) on 4 May 2004, Official Report, column 1444W, we hope the new searchable database containing 2004 data, currently being developed, will be available before the end of the year. It will have a 'print' facility for users, and we will again ensure complete printouts from it are placed in the Library.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many prisoners have been captured or held by United Kingdom forces in Afghanistan since January 2002; how many were charged with offences; how many have been released without charge; and how many were transferred to the custody of (a) the US authorities, (b) the Afghan Interim Authority and (c) ISAF/NATO authorities;
	(2)  how many prisoners are being detained in Afghanistan under the authority of (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the United States and (c) NATO.

Adam Ingram: No prisoners have been captured by British forces operating in Afghanistan since January 2002 and neither the United Kingdom nor NATO holds any prisoners in Afghanistan. Any detainees held by the United States are a matter for the United States Government.

Bomb Disposal Suits

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in introducing the Army's bomb disposal Mk V EOD explosive ordnance suits.

Adam Ingram: A development contract for Mk V EOD explosive ordnance suits will finish shortly and once this contract has been satisfactorily completed it is intended to let a production contract.

Chapelcross Production Plant

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department plans to decommission the Chapelcross Production Plant; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	On 29 June, British Nuclear Group announced the end of electricity generation at Chapelcross power station. Subject to the successful passage of the Energy Bill, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) will from April 2005 be responsible for the Magnox power stations, including the decommissioning and clean up of the Chapelcross site.

Future Aircraft Carrier Programme

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the Royal Navy's Future Aircraft Carrier programme.

Adam Ingram: The Future Carrier (CVF) programme remains in the Assessment Phase. Ministers are currently considering proposals on the overall CVF programme, the Alliance strategy and on when to proceed to the Demonstration and Manufacture Phases. We expect to make an announcement when these deliberations are complete.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has examined in relation to the death of (a) Ahmad Jabbar Kareem, (b) Mr. Waleed Fayay Muzban, (c) Mr. Raid Hadi Al Musaeui, (d) Ms Hanan Shmailawi, (e) Muhammed Abdul Ridha Salim, (f) Jaafer Hashin Majeed and (g) Alher Karim Khalaf.

Adam Ingram: The deaths of the first six individuals named were all raised by Public Interest Lawyers and form part of the Judicial Review to be held in July. Currently two of these are subject to on-going Service Police investigations and it would be inappropriate to give details. The final name is not recognised.

Iraq

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions and on what dates allegations of wrongdoing by British service personnel in Iraq since the beginning of the second Gulf Conflict have been reported by members of HM Forces to their headquarters or to his Department; and whether any of these have not been investigated.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 10 May 2004
	UK armed forces personnel are subject to English criminal law wherever in the world they are deployed. All substantive allegations or suspicions involving activity of a criminal nature, no matter by whom they are reported, are investigated by the Service Police. Since the beginning of operations in Iraq, the Service Police have been involved in over 950 investigations covering a wide range of incidents. Information on how many allegations of wrongdoings by British service personnel in Iraq have been made and on what dates is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Manned Turret Integration Programme

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on progress on introducing the Manned Turret Integration Programme for the Army's Warrior infantry combat vehicle;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on progress with the Army's Manned Turret Integration Programme.

Adam Ingram: The Manned Turret Integration Programme (MTIP) is a Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP) examining integration of an advanced automatic cannon into a new turret housing along with all the associated systems. It will provide evidence to inform the decision-making process for possible firepower upgrades of existing platforms such as Warrior and for new platforms such as the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES).
	On 7 June 2004 the Defence Procurement Agency placed a contract with Cased Telescoped Ammunition International (CTAI) to conduct and report on a series of risk-reduction demonstrations on various elements of the CTAI manned turret, mounting the 40mm Cased Telescoped Weapon System (CTWS) and its associated turret sub-systems. This is due to be completed by March 2005.

Prisons

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's rules for the interrogation of prisoners held in British-run military and civilian prisons in Iraq; who is responsible for ensuring that such rules on interrogation are followed; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: All UK interrogators must successfully complete a stringent course prior to undertaking any operational interrogations. During the course they are specifically instructed that individuals being questioned must be treated at all times in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
	The Officer Commanding the Divisional Temporary Detention Facility is responsible for the conduct of UK personnel within it. An intelligence officer from the Multinational Division (Southeast) is responsible for ensuring that UK interrogators follow the interrogation procedures.

UK Exports (Promotion Costs)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much providing UK equipment and armed forces for demonstrations for the purpose of promoting UK exports has cost over the last three years.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 30 June 2004, Official Report, column 351W, concerning the operating costs of the Export Support Teams.
	Other costs associated with providing United Kingdom equipment and armed forces for export demonstrations are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Councillors' Pay

Anthony Steen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much public money he estimates was spent in paying councillors a remuneration in (a) 2003–04 and (b) 1997–98.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The setting of local allowance levels is a matter for local authorities, taking account of local circumstances and the views of an independent remuneration panel.

Fire Service

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his latest estimate is of the degree of compliance by trade unions representing fire service employees with the terms of the settlement by which the industrial action in 2002–03 was ended.

Nick Raynsford: Compliance with the Fire and Rescue Service pay and modernisation agreement is primarily a matter for the two parties to that agreement, although this is subject to review by independent audit 1 . Payment of the outstanding 3.5 per cent. and 4.2 per cent. increases under the agreement is dependent on (i) verification of progress on the ground and (ii) completion of negotiations on terms and conditions. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister understands that the second and final verification reports on modernisation are due out shortly. The General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union wrote to all MPs on 17 May 2004 reporting that (on 11 May) "conference unanimously decided to withdraw from implementing the June 2003 agreement". This is a factor which we would expect the verification reports to take into account.
	1 Audit Commission (England and Wales), Accounts Commission (Scotland), and Government (Northern Ireland).

Homelessness (London)

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the proportion of homeless households in London who are families with children requiring (a) two-bed and (b) three or more-bed accommodation.

Phil Hope: No estimates of likely accommodation requirements for homeless households with children are made by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Information supplied by local authorities about the number of households which have been accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need distinguishes between those containing one, two, or three or more children, and also those households containing an expectant mother but no other children. Estimates of such households in London based on information reported during 2003–04 are tabled as follows.
	
		Households accepted as homeless in London: 2003–04
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Households containing   
			 One child 9,580 30 
			 Two children 4,010 13 
			 Three or more children 2,900 9 
			 All families with children (total) 16,480 52 
			
			 Expectant mother 3,930 12 
			 Other households 11,120 35 
			
			 All accepted households 31,530 100 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Estimates include imputation for any non-responding authorities.
	2. Totals may not equal sum of components because of rounding.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly).

Multi-occupancy Housing

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many houses in multiple occupation there were in each year since 1997.

Keith Hill: The English House Condition Survey estimated that there were 743,000 houses in multiple occupation in 1996 and 638,000 in 2001 in England: estimates for intermediate and later years are not held centrally. The next English House Condition Survey results are expected later this year.

Rural Development

John Greenway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether land on which redundant intensive livestock buildings are situated within 400 m of a dwelling and which is development requiring planning permission constitutes (a) brownfield land and (b) previously developed land under PPG3.

Keith Hill: Brownfield land is referred to as "previously-developed" land for the purposes of applying the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's planning for housing policies set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 "Housing" (PPG3). The definition, with explanatory notes, of previously-developed land is set out in Annex C of PPG3 and is based on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Land Use Change Statistics (LUCS) Guidance. The definition includes all LUCS urban land uses (except 'vacant land within urban areas not previously-developed') and excludes agricultural land and buildings. Therefore, redundant intensive livestock buildings are excluded from the previously-developed land definition, irrespective of the fact that they require planning permission where they are situated within 400 m of a dwelling.

Unsafe Accommodation (Prosecutions)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many landlords have been prosecuted under health and safety legislation for providing unsafe accommodation in each of the last five years.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold information on prosecutions of landlords of housing accommodation arising from enforcement action by local authorities.

Wind Farms (Public Inquiries)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister under what circumstances an objection from a principal local authority to a planning application for a wind farm which is to be determined by the Department of Trade and Industry would give rise to a public inquiry being held; and whether he proposes to change the criteria for such public inquiries.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	Schedule 8 to the Electricity Act 1989 requires the Secretary of State to hold a public inquiry when the relevant planning authority notifies her that they object to the application and their objection is not withdrawn. Even if the relevant planning authority does not object, the Secretary of State has the discretionary power to call for a public inquiry in light of other objections received. There are no plans to change the criteria.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

City Academies

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to expand the city academy programme; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Government are committed to the academies programme, and I have made it clear in the past that I would welcome a significant expansion in the number of academies around the country. We are currently considering our plans for academies as part of our decisions on spending review allocations.
	The Department will be publishing its five-year strategy, of which our proposals for academies will form part, in mid-July. I will be very pleased to make a statement at that time.

Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how much spending has been allocated to dental school capital expenditure this year as a result of his Department's budget settlement;
	(2)  what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) the Treasury and (b) the Department of Health regarding the NHS dental workforce review.

Alan Johnson: The internal disposition of the Department's 2004 Spending Review settlement has not yet been finalised. We will be writing to the Higher Education Funding Council for England later in the year when decisions have been taken, including decisions about capital allocations. My officials have discussions from time to time with the Treasury and the Department of Health about a range of matters, including the NHS Dental Workforce Review.

Education Costs

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2004, Official Report, column 1430W, on education costs, what estimate his Department holds of (a) the number of pupils aged (i) four to 11 years and (ii) 11 to 18 years in private education and (b) the average cost of educating a pupil in the state sector in (A) primary and (B) secondary schools.

David Miliband: holding answer 28 June 2004
	There were 237,665 pupils aged 4–10 years and 303,561 pupils aged 11–18 years in independent schools in England as at January 2003. 2003 figures are provided as they relate to the 2002–03 financial year, which is the latest year for which outturn data are available.
	The estimated provisional recurrent cost per primary pupil, including both the cost to the school and the costs incurred by the LEA, in 2002–03 was £2,940. The equivalent cost for secondary was £3,620.

Non-qualified Teachers

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of pupils under the age of 16 who are being taught for at least part of the week by non-qualified teachers in colleges of further education.

Charles Clarke: holding answer 5 July 2004
	There are no estimates on the number of young people under the age of 16 being taught by qualified or non-qualified teachers. Data collected by the LSC in the Staff Individualised Record (SIR) show that in 2002/03 there were just over 134,000 teaching staff, of which about 84,000 had a recognised teaching qualification.

Rural School Funding

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to assist rural schools in high property cost areas with (a) recruitment and (b) salary difficulties.

David Miliband: The Teacher Training Agency is funded to support local education authority-based recruitment managers who can provide a co-ordinated local approach to vacancy filling for schools facing the greatest recruitment and retention problems. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's housing support schemes have helped teachers living in some high property cost areas. All schools must meet salary costs from the budget allocated by their local education authority, but the school funding system includes a factor to reflect the higher costs of recruitment and retention in some areas. The statutory pay arrangements give significant discretion to schools to make pay decisions to address any local recruitment and retention difficulties.

Special Educational Needs (Transport Provision)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of its special educational needs budget in 2003–04 Brent council allocated to meet the transport requirements of children with special educational needs.

David Miliband: holding answer 22 June 2004
	The available data show that in 2003–04 Brent allocated £2,772,000 to transport of pupil to special schools. This compares with a budget of £13.0 million of SEN, including SEN aspects of the schools budget and the LEA budget, and the ISB for special schools. Transport costs are not a component of this total and the proportion that they make of this total is therefore not given.

Surplus School Places

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the resource implications for (a) schools and (b) local education authorities of maintaining surplus school places.

David Miliband: holding answer 14 May 2004
	It is for local education authorities (LEAs) to balance the supply of places in their area, to ensure schools serve the needs of their local communities and provide good quality education in the most cost effective way. We have, however, given popular and successful schools a presumption that they can expand, whether there are surplus places in the area or not. Surplus places may represent a poor use of resources, particularly where schools perform poorly. One consideration for LEAs is whether the resources used to fund empty places would be better deployed to fund further places in popular and successful schools.

Teaching Staff Costs

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that schools with an above average number of high rated staff are able to recover the associated cost in full from the local education authority or his Department.

David Miliband: Good, experienced teachers have been able to cross the performance threshold since September 2000 and the cost of this is fully funded by central Government. Such teachers may also make further progress along the upper pay scale, should their performance merit it. We have always been clear we would not fund such progression fully, but provide substantial grants towards the costs, totalling some £229 million in 2004–05. In addition, a grant totalling £48 million is available to support performance pay awards made to leadership group teachers.

Teaching Staff Costs

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that costs incurred by schools in implementing staffing structures and management points are repaid to schools.

David Miliband: It is for schools to manage their own budgets as they see fit. In taking decisions on changes to staffing structures and the award of management allowances, schools need to take full account of the potential impact on their budget. Total funding per pupil has increased by an estimated 1 average £880 in real terms between 1997–98 and 2004–05. The current 2.5 year teachers' pay award provides a stable context for schools to manage such changes.
	1 Includes provisional estimates of grants and allocations still to be confirmed. Total funding per pupil aged 3–19 includes Education Formula Spending (EPS) and all relevant grants in the DfES departmental Expenditure Limits. For comparability, figures exclude the pensions transfer to the Learning and Skills Council and EFS in 2003–04 and 2004–05. Real terms at 2002–03 prices.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Biological Materials (US Exports)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2004, Official Report, column 796W, on Biological Materials (US Exports), what he has made of the 1994 US Senate Riegle Report.

Denis MacShane: The Government are aware of Senator Donald Riegle's 1994 report. Our responses to previous questions on the supply of biological materials to Iraq from the United States have been based upon our reading of the report.

Programme Finance

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) cash provision and (b) cash outturn was for the (i) Programme Sub-Saharan Africa, (ii) Programme Rest of the World, (iii) Peacekeeping Sub-Saharan Africa and (iv) Peacekeeping Rest of the World requests for resources two subheads in financial years (A) 2001–02, (B) 2002–03 and (C) 2003–04.

Bill Rammell: The information is as follows:
	(i) The cash provision to, and expenditure for, the Programme element of the Sub-Saharan Africa Conflict Prevention Pool for financial years 2001 to 2004 was:
	
		nearest £ million
		
			 Financial year Funds allocated Spend 
		
		
			 2001–02 50 43 
			 2002–03 50 45 
			 2003–04 50 (13)+40 
		
	
	(ii) The cash provision to, and expenditure for, the Programme element of the Rest of the World Conflict Prevention Pool for financial years 2002 to 2004 was:
	
		nearest £ million
		
			 Financial year Funds allocated Spend 
		
		
			 2001–02 60 50 
			 2002–03 68 66 
			 2003–04 74 (13)85 
		
	
	(iii) The cash provision to, and the expenditure for. the Peacekeeping element of the Sub-Saharan Africa Conflict Prevention Pool for financial years 2001 to 2004 was:
	
		nearest £ million
		
			 Financial year Funds allocated Spend 
		
		
			 2001–02 52 76 
			 2002–03 99 62 
			 2003–04 87 (13)92 
		
	
	(iv) The cash provision to, and expenditure for, the Peacekeeping element of the Rest of the World Conflict Prevention Pool for financial years 2001 to 2004 was:
	
		nearest £ million
		
			 Financial year Funds allocated Spend 
		
		
			 2001–02 448 382 
			 2002–03 406 324 
			 2003–04 250 (13)198 
		
	
	(13) Current forecast: accounts to be finalised in summer 2004.

Colombia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to President Uribe of Colombia regarding the status of human rights work at the San Jose De Apartado peace community.

Bill Rammell: I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 28 June 2004, Official Report, column 126W. During my visit to Colombia in late June, I specifically raised with Vice-President Santos the need to support and respect the work of non-governmental organisations like Peace Brigades International who have been working with local partners in support of the San Jose De Apartado peace community. We have always maintained that the work of such organisations is highly important and should be encouraged by the Colombian Government. Civil society has a valuable role to play in helping the Colombian Government address the immense problems the country faces.

Cyprus

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the authorities in the south of Cyprus to permit British citizens holding EU passports to cross to and from the north without hindrance, regardless of the port or airport through which they entered the island.

Denis MacShane: Yes.

European Constitution

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the additional policy areas and decisions to be taken by majority voting under the agreed European Constitution.

Denis MacShane: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 5 July 2004 (UIN 180436).

European Constitution

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each of the areas of decision-making in which the United Kingdom lost its power of veto when the previous Government signed up to (a) the Single European Act 1986 and (b) the Maastricht Treaty.

Denis MacShane: Under the Single European Act, five Articles were moved from a unanimous voting base to Qualified Majority Voting (QMV): altering or suspending autonomous duties in the common commercial Tariff, free movement of workers, freedom of third country nationals established in the Community to provide services, co-ordination of exchange policies to liberalise movement of capital and extension of the Treaty Title on Transport to sea and air transport. Seven new Articles were introduced at QMV: three relating to the internal market and four on: health and safety of workers, the implementing decision relating to the European Regional Development Fund, the adoption of specific Research and Development programmes within the unanimously agreed multi-annual framework programme and the power to adopt certain measures if these had been unanimously agreed in the Council.
	Under the Maastricht Treaty, two areas were moved from a unanimous voting base to QMV (Transport Safety and Environmental Measures). 28 new Treaty provisions were introduced at QMV: movement of capital to and from third countries, safeguard measures, movement of capital and payments to implement sanctions, visas, broad economic guidelines, bail-out fund in the event of a natural disaster; definition for applying prohibition on assuming financial liability, excessive deficit procedure, harmonising coins, ECSB Statutes, Exchange Rate Agreements, Economic and Financial Committee, Consultation of Economic and Monetary Institute, mutual assistance in the event of balance of payment difficulties, protective measures, moving to State II of EMU, EMU Stage III derogations, education, public health, consumer protection, TENs guidelines, development co-operation, regulation and conditions for the performance of the Ombudsman's tasks, Allowances of ESC members. Measures to implement sanctions, decisions implementing CFSP joint actions if use of QMV had been unanimously agreed at the Council, decisions implementing JHA joint actions if use of QMV had been agreed unanimously in the Council and Application of specified EC Treaty provisions on some aspects of JHA.

Gibraltar

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Spain concerning the future of Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met his Spanish counterpart, Senor Moratinos, on 20 May. They discussed a wide range of issues, including Gibraltar.

Inclusive Government

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the distribution of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office document "Inclusive Government: Mainstreaming Gender into Foreign Policy" will be; and what follow-up is planned in terms of policy development.

Mike O'Brien: The booklet "Inclusive Government: Mainstreaming Gender into Foreign Policy" is intended primarily as an internal Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) resource. We have sent copies to all our Departments and overseas Posts, and placed it on the FCO's internal website. We have also distributed the document to external contacts, including members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, other hon. Members and Peers, NGOs, and journalists among others, for information. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a statement to the House on 10 June 2004, Official Report, column 16WS, and copies were placed in the Library of the House. It is also available on the FCO's website, www.fco.gov.uk.
	The booklet gives guidance on taking gender issues fully into account in foreign policy, and provides examples of best practice of how the FCO is already doing this. We plan to review the guidelines after one year, to assess their impact both on policy development and on practical outcomes.

Iraq

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provisions (a) exist at present and (b) will exist after 30 June for the extradition to Iraq of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff and military personnel accused of wrong-doing in that country.

Jack Straw: There is in place a bilateral extradition treaty between the UK and Iraq dating from 1933 (UKTS 13/1933).
	Members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and military personnel operating in Iraq prior to 28 June had immunity under CPA Order 17. UK forces continue to have immunity under CPA Order 17 and members of our diplomatic and consular staff have immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations respectively.
	Members of the FCO are nevertheless subject to section 31 of the Criminal Justice Act 1948 and can in certain cases be tried in England for an offence committed in Iraq. UK armed forces, wherever they operate in the world, are subject to the UK military disciplinary process. The UK's domestic law provides that soldiers and anyone else subject to service law can be tried in military courts (courts martial) for acts, which they commit overseas, if those acts would constitute a criminal offence if committed in the UK. These military courts are competent to try all criminal offences, including the most serious criminal offences.

Iraq Survey Group

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the final report of the Iraq Survey Group.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, South (Mr. Tynan) on 15 June 2004, Official Report, column 799W.

Lithuania

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the legitimacy of Lithuania's recent presidential elections.

Denis MacShane: We have no reason to question the assessment of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Lithuania who has confirmed that the presidential elections were carried out in accordance with the constitution and laws of the Republic of Lithuania.

Russian Tourists

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what charges are made to Russians when applying for a tourist visa to the United Kingdom.

Chris Mullin: Our visa fees are set on a worldwide basis and are the same irrespective of the country in which an application is made. Our standard visit visa is valid for multiple entries for a six-month period: the fee is currently set at £36 payable in local currency. In Russia this would equate to 1,980 Roubles at the current consular exchange rate of 55 Roubles to the pound.
	Longer visit visas are available allowing multiple entries providing no one visit exceeds a six-month duration. One, two, five and 10 year visit visa fees are 3,300 Roubles (£60), 3,850 Roubles (£70), 4,840 Roubles (£88) and 8,250 Roubles (£150) respectively. These rates have applied since 13 February 2004 but are subject to change according to currency fluctuations.

HOME DEPARTMENT

ASBOs

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders imposed at magistrates courts in the last three years have subsequently been overturned on appeal.

Hazel Blears: Data collected for antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are currently available up to 31 December 2003. The Home Office has not been notified of any ASBOs issued by the magistrates courts that have been overturned on appeal by this date.

ASBOs

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued since the enactment of the Anti- social Behaviour Act 2003 in (a) England, (b) the Lancashire police force area and (c) the Borough of Burnley.

Hazel Blears: The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 received Royal Assent on 20 November 2003. The powers in the Act came into force gradually, with the first group of provisions commencing on 20 January 2004. Data on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are currently available up to 31 December 2003 only. Information is given in the table on the numbers of ASBOs issued within England, Lancashire and the Borough of Burnley for 2003, prior to commencement of the 2003 Act. Data for the first quarter 2004 will be published on the Crime Reduction website by 16 July.

Bogus Traders

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to encourage closer co-operation between the police and trading standards departments to tackle bogus traders and distraction burglaries.

Hazel Blears: Police and trading standards departments in many areas are already working increasingly effectively with each other and with other agencies, particularly those involved with older people.
	At the national level, in October 2003 the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and Police Standards Unit published the "Domestic Burglary National Good Practice and Tactical Options Guide".
	Among other things, this identifies good practice in relation to combating doorstep crime and recommends establishing formal protocols for sharing of information and intelligence with other enforcement agencies. We are discussing with the ACPO Burglary Working Group options for further improving effective working relationships in this area.
	Following the Office of Fair Trading's report on doorstep selling, we will continue to liaise with the Department for Trade and Industry to look at what more can be done.

Bribery

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what enforcement measures are available under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 to prevent UK citizens bribing foreign officials.

Paul Goggins: Part 12 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 contains provisions clarifying the application of our law of bribery overseas and introducing jurisdiction over UK nationals and UK incorporated bodies who commit bribery overseas. The provisions will be enforced by police forces or, in cases which fall within its remit, by the Serious Fraud Office.

Bribery

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will commission a joint review with the Attorney-General's office of the reasons why no prosecutions for bribery of a foreign public official have been brought under (a) the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 and (b) other legislation dealing with corruption offences since 1989.

Paul Goggins: No. The legislation on bribery is contained in the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889–1916, which were amended by the 2001 Act. Home Office figures show that over the 10 years, 1993–2002, the average annual number of prosecutions for all types of bribery under these Acts, whether in the public or private sector, was 21. We do not keep a record of the persons bribed. While there has been only one reported Appeal Court case concerning a prosecution for bribery of a foreign public official (Raud, 1989 Crim LR 809), in the period it is not necessarily the most recent case of its kind. Also, cases involving bribery may give rise to other charges. The prosecution of the bribery of foreign public officials has to be viewed in this context.

Fixed Penalty Notices (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers Lancashire Police have to serve fixed penalty notices; and how many have been served, and for what offences, in each of the Lancashire constituencies.

Hazel Blears: Police officers have the power to issue fixed penalty notices under section 54 of the Road Traffic Offences Act 1988 for a range of offences listed in Schedule 3 to that Act, including parking and speeding offences. Provisional figures from Lancashire police are that from 1 January 2004 to 22 June 2004, a total of 16,434 fixed penalty notices were issued in Lancashire for road traffic offences. Of these 1,339 were for endorseable offences and 15,095 non-endorseable, most of the latter being for parking offences. Details of fixed penalty notices issued in 2002 are given in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 5/04 titled Motoring Offences and Breath Test Statistics England and Wales 2002. This report can be accessed on the Home Office website at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/motor1.html
	In addition police have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for eleven disorder offences under sections 1 to 11 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. This scheme was introduced in Lancashire from 5 January 2004. Since this date provisional data provided by Lancashire police show that a total of 1,041 penalty notices for disorder have been issued. The table provides a breakdown of the offences for which these have been issued.
	Figures for numbers of fixed penalty notices issued are not available by constituency.
	
		
			  Penalty offence Penalty notices issued 1 
		
		
			 Causing harassment, alarm or distress (s5 Public Order Act 1986) 285 
			 Drinking in a designated public place (s12 Criminal Justice Act 2001) 17 
			 Drunk and disorderly (s91 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967) 712 
			 Drunk in the highway (s12 of the Licensing Act 1872) 17 
			 Knowingly give false alarm to a fire brigade (s31 of the Fire Services Act 1947) 2 
			 Using public electronic communications network to cause annoyance (s127(2) of the Communications Act 2003) 1 
			 Throwing Fireworks (s80 Explosives Act 1875) 1 
			 Throwing stones at a train (s56 British Transport Commission Act 1949) 1 
			 Wasting police time, giving false report (s5 Criminal Law Act 1967) 5 
			 Total 1,041 
		
	
	(14) Provisional figures.

Anti-social Behaviour Act

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have occurred in behaviour since the implementation of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 23 June 2004
	The British Crime Survey (BCS) measures the extent to which people view particular types of behaviour as a problem in their local area—not direct measures of behaviour and subsequent changes.
	Latest BCS data show that the proportion of people who perceived a high level of antisocial behaviour in their area had fallen from 21 per cent. in interviews in 2002 to 18 per cent. in 2003 (a statistically significant fall)—Quarterly Update for year ending December 2003.

Criminal Justice Act

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will repeal of section 127 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Paul Goggins: It is our intention to disapply section 127 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 by utilising the provision available through the Regulatory Reform Act 2001.
	We intend to facilitate this, as parliamentary time allows, dependent on a positive vote by the Prison Officers' (POA) to accept the new Joint Industrial Relations Procedural Agreement (JIRPA).
	
		Number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at all courts within England, Lancashire and the Borough of Burnley, as reported to the Home Office, up to 31 December 2003 1
		
			 Area Total issued 
		
		
			 England 1,904 
			 Lancashire 72 
			 Of which: 
			 Burnley BC 17 
		
	
	(15) Latest available

Drug Treatment

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the Government targets are for waiting times for drug rehabilitation treatment; what the waiting times were in Somerset in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; what assessment he has made of the extent to which drug rehabilitation treatment programmes in Somerset meet the clinical needs of drug users; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the prescribing budget of the Somerset Drugs Service was in each year from 1995–96 to 2003–04; what the budget will be in 2004–05; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what action is being taken by the National Treatment Agency to prioritise drug rehabilitation waiting times in Somerset following the letter of 26 February 2004 to the hon. Member for Yeovil from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State;
	(4)  what his latest estimate is of waiting times for drug rehabilitation treatment in South Somerset; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1 July 2004, Official Report, column 390.

Drug Treatment

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will encourage joint commissioning for drug services to ensure that individuals' other social care needs are met.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	As part of any treatment package for a drug misuser, a full clinical assessment has to take place. The document, Models of Care, published by the National Treatment Agency in 2002, makes clear that to achieve best results in tackling a person's drug misuse, a holistic approach must be taken. This includes a drugs misuser's social care needs such as addressing mental health problems and homelessness.

Drug Service Providers

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the length is of the contracts now being tendered for by providers of drugs services to HM prisons in England and Wales.

Paul Goggins: The length of contracts now being tendered between the Prison Service and drug service providers will be for a maximum of seven years. They will be three-year contracts, with an option to extend by two further periods of two years. These extensions are conditional on good performance.

Heavy Goods Vehicles

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many heavy goods vehicles were reported stolen in each year since 1998;
	(2)  what the detection rate was for stolen heavy goods vehicles in each year since 1998.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected centrally. The available information relates to the general classification of theft of a vehicle and it is not possible to identify what type of vehicle has been stolen.

Internet Chatrooms

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for (a) police forces and (b) the National Crime Squad routinely and proactively to monitor paedophile activity in internet chatrooms; whether additional funding has recently been allocated to the monitoring of chatrooms; what recent guidelines he has issued to police forces on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Child protection and abuse investigation teams within local forces, and specialists Teams such as the Paedophile On Line Investigation Team of the National Crime Squad undertake monitoring of chatrooms to detect paedophile activity as part of their activities to combat child abuse on line. The deployment of officers to this area, primarily covertly, is undertaken as part of the operational activities of these specialist units, and it is not an issue on which guidelines have been issued to forces by government.
	The International Virtual Global Task Force, launched in December 2003, is a partnership of law enforcement agencies from the UK, US, Australia, and Canada, which aims to target those who search for images of child abuse on the internet. In June it announced its intention to actively monitor chatrooms with a visible police presence where they consider paedophiles are likely to target children.
	From 2000–01 to 2004–05 the policing provision for England and Wales has increased by over £2.3 billion. There are now record numbers of police officers. It is not government policy to fund the police service for individual activities they undertake, but rather for chief officers to take practical decisions on how they allocate the additional resources and manpower we have made available to them. We fully support effective intelligence led policing and welcome the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) proposals to make better use of intelligence and existing centres of expertise to help forces effectively investigate those who abuse children using the internet.

Metropolitan Police Authority

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his timetable is for the appointment of his nominee to the Metropolitan Police Authority under the terms of the Greater London Authority Act 1999; and what criteria are being used for the selection.

Hazel Blears: The Home Secretary's appointee to the Metropolitan Police Authority will be in place by 8 July 2004 when the Authority holds its Annual General Meeting. Candidates were selected by fair and open competition and on the basis of their ability to become familiar with the operational issues for the Metropolitan Police and to perform an important quality assurance and value for money function on behalf of the Home Secretary.

Ministerial Red Boxes

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how Ministers use (a) Royal Mail and (b) private firms for mailing red boxes.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Royal Mail offers a special service for the transmission of official boxes and pouches addressed personally to, or sent on behalf of Government Ministers. Private firms are not used for mailing red boxes.

Ministerial Visits

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) car, (b) train, (c) aeroplane and (d) helicopter, in each of the last 10 years.

David Blunkett: My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office has asked Nick Matheson, Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch agency to write to the hon. Member with details of the cost of Ministerial vehicles provided to this Department.
	In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers visits overseas. Copies of lists are available in the Library. These reports contain information reaching back to 1995–96. Information for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost and in some cases will no longer be held. Information for 2003–04 will be published in due course.
	Detailed information for all Ministers in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

Police

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget for the Greater Manchester Police (a) was for 1997, in capital and revenue terms and (b) is for the current financial year, in cash terms and real terms; and what the percentage change was in each year.

Hazel Blears: The information is set out in the table.
	
		
			  Cash (£ million) Percentage change Real (£ million) Percentage change 
		
		
			 Revenue 
			 1997–98 352.8 — 398.7 — 
			 2004–05 468.9 32.9 445.9 11.8 
			  
			 Capital 
			 1997–98 12.0 — 13.6 — 
			 2004–05 24.4 103.3 23.2 70.6 
		
	
	Note:
	Real terms figures: 2002–03 = 100 (GNP deflator).
	Sources:
	Net revenue budget requirements: ODPM.
	Capital budgets: Greater Manchester Police.

Police Remuneration

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received extending the London Weighting received by officers in the Metropolitan Police Force to officers of Essex constabulary; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: We have received no representations to extend the payment of London weighting to officers of Essex Police.
	Officers in Essex recruited after 1 September 1994, who do not receive a housing allowance, are paid a South East allowance of £2,000.

Re-offending

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he will measure the impact on re-offending if convicted individuals have more than one supervisor.

Paul Goggins: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) will create a system of end to end management of offenders where there is a single manager for each individual offender, whether they are in custody, serving a community sentence or a combination of both.

Suffrage Supporters

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will begin the process which would lead to an unconditional free pardon for the suffrage supporters who went to prison during the campaign.

Paul Goggins: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary does not believe that it would be appropriate to use the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in these cases. Given the passage of time there would be a number of practical difficulties and in any event free pardons are designed to redress injustice and in general their use relies on innocence being established.
	Although he does not feel able to recommend the use of the Royal Prerogative in these cases the Home Secretary believes that it would be appropriate for the Government to recognise and mark in some way the contribution that the women's suffrage movement made to bring about greater equality in political and public life and to the development of our democracy as we currently know it. He has therefore asked officials to look into and consider an appropriate way in which this might be achieved.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Parliamentary Communications Directorate

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what plans the Parliamentary Communications Directorate has to speed up the procedure for logging onto the virtual private network for remote access to the Parliamentary Data and Video Network; and when he expects an improved service to be in place.

Robert Key: The Parliamentary Communications Directorate (PCD) is currently evaluating new virtual private network (VPN) software, which may help to simplify and speed up the process of VPN log-on. PCD plans to begin a pilot of the new software with a limited number of active users before the summer recess, with a view to making decisions about implementation in the early autumn. I hope that a number of Members and their staff will participate in the pilot.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Business Start-ups

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps his Department has taken to help people start their own business.

Jane Kennedy: Our support for people who want to start up their own business is targeted at long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged groups. It is delivered through the New Deals and Work Based Learning for Adults (Training for Work in Scotland) by a network of start-up specialist providers, contracted by Jobcentre Plus.
	This support includes an awareness session, a period of supported business planning with a business expert, and up to 26 weeks of supported 'test trading' where participants can operate their business with expert support yet still have the safety net of receiving their benefits in the form of a training allowance. In 2003, over 11,000 people were supported to 'test trade' their business through the New Deals and Work Based Learning for Adults.
	We play an active role across government to ensure there is coherence in the support Government provides in promoting enterprise. We were key contributors to "A Government Action Plan for Small Business" published last year, which sets out our strategy for promoting enterprise.
	We have been working closely with the Small Business Service to ensure there is a nationally available minimum standard of provision to support potential entrepreneurs, including those not eligible for Jobcentre Plus programmes. In addition, we are working in partnership with the Prince's Trust Youth Business Programme and the Small Business Service on the production of a pre-start-up leaflet that signposts potential entrepreneurs to the range of government support available, as well as a national award scheme that recognises the significant barriers long term unemployed people have overcome to become successful entrepreneurs.
	Both products will be launched to coincide with Enterprise week in November. Jobcentre Plus Districts will all be involved in initiatives during Enterprise week to highlight their support for people who may be interested in exploring self employment as an option.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter to him dated 24 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. T. Cheema.

Andrew Smith: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 2 July.

Household Income

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of (a) all households containing at least one disabled person, (b) single disabled people and (c) couples over pension age where at least one person is disabled receive 60 per cent. of median contemporary incomes after housing costs where income is calculated excluding disability living allowance and attendance allowance received.

Maria Eagle: In 2002–03, 65 per cent. of all households containing at least one disabled person, 62 per cent. of all single disabled people, and 65 per cent. of couples over pension age where at least one person is disabled received income that was at least 60 per cent. of the median income after housing costs, where household incomes exclude any disability allowance and attendance allowance received.
	If disability living allowance and attendance allowance are not deducted from incomes, 74 per cent. of all households containing at least one disabled person, 70 per cent. of all single disabled people, and 77 per cent. of couples over pension age where at least one person is disabled received income that was at least 60 per cent. of the median income after housing costs.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are for 2002–03 the latest date for which data is available. 2. Estimates are for Great Britain and are quoted to the nearest per cent. 3. Estimates relate to the household's status at the time they were interviewed for the FRS. 4. The estimates are based on sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that, in the case of the Family Resources Survey, control for tenure, council tax band and a number of other variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. 5. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household). 6. The median income of the population is the contemporary median income. For the part of the answer were DLA/AA have been deducted, the median is the same as that used in HBAI, and therefore has not been recalculated following deduction of disability living allowance and attendance allowance. Previous analysis has shown that recalculating the median in this way has little impact of the risk of low income. This is due to the small impact DLA/AA receipt has on the location of averages in the income distribution. 7. For part (a) disabled persons includes both disabled adults and children. For part (b) single disabled people includes only adults.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey (FRS).

Household Income

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of (a) all adults, (b) single people without children, (c) single people with children, (d) couples without children and (e) couples with children in households under pension age containing at least one disabled person have incomes below 60 per cent. of median contemporary incomes after housing costs where income is calculated excluding disability living allowance received.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is in the table.
	
		
			  Percentage who are under pension age, living in a household containing at least one disabled person, with income, minus any disability living allowance, below 60 per cent. of the median income after housing costs Percentage below 60 per cent. of the median with no deduction of disability allowance from incomes 
		
		
			 All adults under pension age 32 27 
			 Single people without children 37 31 
			 Single people with children 54 48 
			 Couples with no children 23 18 
			 Couples with children 32 28 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are for 2002–03, the latest date for which data is available.
	2. Estimates are for Great Britain and are quoted to the nearest per cent.
	3. Estimates relate to the household's status at the time they were interviewed for the FRS.
	4. The estimates are based on sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that, in the case of the Family Resources Survey, control for tenure, council tax band and a number of other variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to remaining variability in non-response.
	5. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	6. The median income of the population is the same as that used in HBAI, and therefore has not been recalculated following deduction of disability living allowance. Previous analysis has shown that recalculating the median in this way has little impact on the risk of low income. This is due to the small impact DLA receipt has on the location of averages in the income distribution.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey (FRS).

Pension Protection Fund

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether charities with funded final salary pension schemes will be covered by the Pension Protection Fund.

Malcolm Wicks: The PPF will cover defined benefit and hybrid schemes except those where the benefits are effectively guaranteed. In most cases, these will either be statutory schemes (mostly unfunded schemes) or funded schemes with government guarantees.
	Based on the exemptions from the minimum funding requirement, we expect the following schemes to be exempt from payment of the initial levy and the pension protection levies:
	(a) an unfunded public service pension scheme;
	(b) a public sector scheme providing pensions to local government schemes where there is an established crown guarantee;
	(c) any scheme where a Minister of the Crown has given a full guarantee or made other arrangements to secure that assets will be sufficient to meet liabilities;
	(d) a pension scheme which provides relevant benefits but is neither an approved scheme nor a relevant statutory scheme;
	(e) a section 615(6) scheme (a scheme set up under trust in the UK, but relating to employment outside the UK);
	(f) a scheme with less than three members;
	(g) a scheme where the only benefits provided (other than money purchase benefits) are death benefits and under the provision of which no member has accrued rights (other than rights to money purchase benefits);
	(h) a 'relevant lump sum retirement benefits scheme' (basically, one which only provides a non-salary-related lump sum on retirement);
	(i) the scheme set up under the Salvation Army Act 1963 and
	(j) the Chatsworth Settlement Estate Pension Scheme.
	We also have the PPF exemption for schemes with fewer than 12 members, all of whom are directors, or connected to directors.
	We anticipate that all other occupational defined benefit pension schemes and defined benefit elements of hybrid schemes will be covered by the PPF.

Pension Service

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will explain the background to the inability of the Pension Service to issue direct payment letters with the full surnames of people with long names.

Chris Pond: An IT constraint prevents surnames in excess of 13 characters being input on to direct payment letters.
	Customers with over 13 characters in their surname have their name truncated on all correspondence from the Customer Conversion Centre.
	A customers conversion to direct payment is unaffected by the use of truncated surnames—it is a correspondence issue only.

Sales Training (Disabled People)

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training is (a) required and (b) provided for people who sell equipment and appliances to disabled people.

Stephen Ladyman: I have been asked to reply.
	Private companies that sell equipment and appliances to disabled people are not subject to statutory regulation, but the British Health Trades Association (BHTA), which has over 300 member companies, runs a voluntary registration scheme for sales people. Training is provided by employers and under the BHTA scheme. Registration is open to people who: are willing to be bound by the code of conduct; have three years relevant experience in the non-medicinal healthcare industry; and who can demonstrate competencies in the areas of product knowledge, basic anatomy, physiology, disability, and cultural awareness. Further information is available on the BHTA website at www.bhta.com/.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Animal Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many researchers funded by (a) the Medical Research Council and (b) the Biotechnology and Biological Services Research Councils grants travelled abroad to conduct research on animals in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: Neither MRC nor BBSRC has a central record of how many grant-holders travel abroad to conduct research on animals and it would be cost-prohibitive to gather it. Both Councils have a policy that they will not provide funding for animal research overseas if it appears that it is being proposed in order to reduce costs or to bypass the high standards set in the UK.

Auction Houses

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with major auction houses or their representatives about (a) droit de suite and (b) the level of VAT on art sales.

Patricia Hewitt: Discussions are currently taking place on droit de suite between officials and representatives of the art trade, but there have been no recent discussions on the level of VAT on art sales.

Auction Houses

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies she has made of auction houses' contribution to the UK art market.

Patricia Hewitt: A study was commissioned in 2003 on the potential cost and benefit of implementing EC Directive 2001/84/EC on the Resale Right for the Benefit of an Author of an Original work of Art (Droit de Suite). This was received just before Christmas 2003 and focuses on the number and value of sales of modern and contemporary art handled by the auction houses in the 2001–02 season (August 2001 to July 2002). The data will be used in the preparation of a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment, on which comment will be invited from interested parties and the public as part of the consultation process regarding implementation of the directive.

British Exports (India)

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether British exports to India are to be used in Jaguar jets for the purpose of enabling them (a) to carry and (b) to deliver nuclear weapons.

Nigel Griffiths: All export licence applications for India are carefully assessed against the consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and the Bradshaw Statement. As part of this assessment both the stated and potential end-use of the equipment is considered. The Government would not issue an export licence to India if it were assessed that the goods were to be used in contravention of the Criteria or the Statement. Exports to India for the purpose of carrying or delivering nuclear weapons would constitute a contravention and would therefore not be licensed.

Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes dated 17 March concerning Martyn Tozer of Kingsbridge, Devon and the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 5 July 2004
	I apologise that because of an administrative oversight the hon. Member did not have a prompt reply to his letter of 17 March. A reply has now been sent, and a review has been commissioned to see what lessons can be learnt to avoid such delays in future.

Door-to-door Sales

Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to tackle unregulated door-to-door salesmen.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) have investigated doorstep selling as a whole and published their market study report on 12 May. We are carefully considering the report and any proposed legislative changes will be the subject of thorough consultation.

Electricity Generation

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will publish the consultation document on revised power station consent guidance listed on the Sustainable Energy Policy Network's website.

Stephen Timms: The 2003 Energy White Paper "Our energy future—creating a low carbon economy" included a commitment to review existing guidance to developers seeking consent from DTI for large power stations, setting out the steps they need to take to ensure economically viable opportunities for CHP are fully considered. The existing guidance can be found at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/leg and reg/consents/powerstation eng.pdf.
	The review will aim to make the guidance clearer about the information and evidence required from developers to show opportunities have been properly explored.
	The Government intend to publish a consultation document before the parliamentary recess.

Electricity Generation

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures her Department has introduced to ensure power stations use fuel efficiently.

Stephen Timms: The framework and operation of a market based approach to the delivery of reliable electricity supplies provides strong incentives to generators to use fuel efficiently.
	Our Energy White paper published in February 2003 set out the need to make more efficient use of energy sources. In particular, the White Paper identified combined heat and power (CHP), as a way to make more efficient use of fuel.
	In April the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs published "The Government's Strategy for Combined Heat and Power until 2010" setting out a framework to support the growth of CHP capacity in the UK. Measures set out in the Strategy to support that growth include reviewing the existing guidance on information required to accompany power station consent applications to ensure full consideration of all options for CHP and community heating.
	The Government requires any application for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct a power station of more than 50 megawatts to demonstrate that it has explored the use of CHP and community heating.

Electricity Generation

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what work has been undertaken with Ofgem in the past year to ensure administrative arrangements under the New Electricity Trading Arrangements are fully accessible to smaller generators as highlighted on the Sustainable Energy Policy Network website; and what assessment she has made of how effective these measures have been.

Stephen Timms: Both the DTI and Ofgem have been involved in a number of initiatives aimed at improving the position of smaller generators.
	With regard to the Balancing and Settlement Code, Ofgem has considered and approved a number of modifications. For example, a revision of the definition of the System Buy and Sell Prices has significantly reduced the spread of imbalance prices and thus the risk to which smaller generators in particular are exposed. Modifications have also been made to National Grid Transco's charging methodology, which now allows "embedded benefits" to be paid directly to generators in certain circumstances, which again will particularly benefit smaller generators. In this area, it is primarily the role of the Balancing and Settlement Code Panel to assess the impact of measures, and for industry participants to bring forward modifications to the code if they are considered unsatisfactory.
	In the context of the future British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements, the DTI and Ofgem have recognised the special position of smaller generators through the provision of a discount for small transmission-connected generators in Scotland.
	More generally, the Distribution Commercial Forum, which is facilitated by Ofgem, is responsible for assisting industry participants in improving the governance framework of the existing distribution connection and use of system arrangements. The Distribution Generation Working Group—jointly chaired by Ofgem and DTI—is looking at ways in which the barriers to the connection of smaller-scale generation can be removed, and their contribution to the system in terms of losses, contribution to security and other embedded benefits can be fully recognised. Both of these forums therefore play assessment roles vis-à-vis the position of smaller generators.

Electricity Generation

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her current estimates are of the levels of electricity generation by (a) coal, (b) gas, (c) nuclear and (d) renewables in (i) 2005, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2020.

Stephen Timms: Data for the year 2000 and projections for future years are shown in the following table. The table is extracted from a published working paper "Updated UK Energy Projections", dated May 2004, and is available at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep.pdf.
	The working paper represents work in progress and a final report is expected to be published later this year.
	
		Table 18: Electricity Generation, TWh(16)
		
			  2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 
		
		
			 Coal 111.9 113 106 89 57 
			 Oil 2.1 2 2 2 2 
			 Gas 127.0 116 132 159 225 
			 Nuclear 78.3 84 61 41 27 
			 Renewables(16) 10.1 15 39 58 58 
			 Imports 14.3 9 10 10 10 
			 Pumped storage 2.6 3 3 3 3 
			 Total 346.3 344 353 362 382 
		
	
	(16)The figures in this table relate to gross supply to the grid, plus imports of electricity. See also footnote 11 relating to coverage.
	(17)The level of renewables generation in 2010 is approximately 10 per cent. of overall generation.
	Footnote 11 explains that for modelling purposes, the coverage of the industry is major power producers plus all renewable generators. All other generators of electricity are included within the industrial or commercial sectors.

Electricity Generation

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the percentage of natural gas electricity generation in (a) 2005, (b) 2010 and (c) 2020 that will have to be imported.

Stephen Timms: The Department does not make estimates of gas import needs for individual sectors such as power stations. The most recent assessment of gas import needs for the whole economy can be found in the fourth report of the DTI-Ofgem Joint Energy Security of Supply working group which can be accessed at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/jess/jessreport4.pdf. This report suggests that perhaps 40 per cent. of our gas needs will be imported by 2010 and 80 per cent. or more by 2020. But the actual extent of import dependency is inevitably uncertain. In its recently published 17th report ("Gas: Liberalised Markets and Security of Supply", HL Paper 105), the House of Lords European Union Committee has asserted that the UK will be importing around 50 per cent. of its gas requirements by 2010 and around 70 per cent. in 2020.

Empty Houses

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for how many empty houses her Department is responsible; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department's administrative estate does not include any housing.

End of Life Vehicles Directive

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of the introduction of regulations requiring the last owner of an end of life vehicle to deliver it to an authorised processor prior to the implementation of a scheme which will require manufacturers to make arrangements for processors to accept vehicles manufactured by them free of charge on the number of end of life vehicles being (a) abandoned and (b) deliberately set fire to.

Stephen Timms: Since the Department's Regulatory Impact Assessment of 21 June 2002, the Government have taken a number of initiatives to bear down on the problem of abandoned vehicles. The 2002 Assessment was based on ELV processing and treatment costs of £60, whereas latest estimates put these at £16–39. No updated Assessment has yet been compiled.

Equal Opportunities

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of (a) females and (b) males are studying science, engineering and technology based degrees; and if she will make a statement on government initiatives to increase the number of female graduates.

Patricia Hewitt: In the following table are some statistics, which show that in some degrees which require Science and Maths A levels such as medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, more women than men are studying, and becoming qualified in these subjects. However these statistics also highlight that there is still significant female under-representation in vital SET courses such as the Physical Sciences, Engineering and IT.
	Overall the number of female science, engineering and technology (SET) graduates is increasing. However, only one in every three SET graduates in 2002 were women.
	More men apply for, accept and obtain higher education qualifications in SET and SET-related subjects than women but as the statistics show, the picture is very different depending on the precise nature of the subject.
	The work being done in schools and further education colleges to enthuse young girls to take up these subjects is the beginning of the process to encourage girls and women to take SET degrees, especially in those areas where there is a definite gender imbalance. As part of the Government's new strategy 1 , a new UK Resource Centre for Women in SET aimed at working with employers, professional bodies and individuals in SET will be launched on 16 September 2004. The Government have allocated £800,000 per annum for three years to set up and operate the new Centre and an additional £500,000 per annum of the development of a dedicated returners package. The Resource Centre will hold pump-priming funds that will be used to fund innovative or proven projects, including £200,000 separately provided by DfES to the Centre for schemes in higher education institutions to put support measures in place that aid the retention and progression of women science undergraduates into the science labour force.
	1 The Government's new strategy is outlined in full in the report published on 28 April 2003: 'A Strategy for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology'.
	
		Percentage of students by subject group, gender, level of study and first-year marker, 2002–03
		
			  Post-graduates Undergraduates First-year undergraduates 
			 Subject area Female Male Female Male Female Male 
		
		
			 Medicine and Dentistry 53 47 57 43 61 39 
			 Subjects allied to medicine 72 28 85 15 86 14 
			 Biological Sciences 62 38 63 37 62 38 
			 Veterinary Science 54 46 74 26 74 26 
			 Agriculture and related subjects 50 50 59 41 60 40 
			 Physical Sciences 38 62 41 60 41 59 
			 Mathematical Sciences 35 65 40 60 39 62 
			 Computer Science 26 74 25 75 28 72 
			 Engineering and Technology 18 82 14 86 14 86 
		
	
	Source:
	HESA

Foreign Languages

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to encourage the development of improved foreign language skills in British companies.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 5 July 2004
	My Department and the DfES are working with a range of partners including the Skills for Business Network and the Learning and Skills Councils to encourage the development of improved foreign language skills. The National Languages Strategy launched in December 2002 recognises the increasing importance in our society and the global economy of the ability to understand and communicate in other languages.
	Employers have a crucial role to play in helping to implement the main aims and objectives of the National Languages Strategy by influencing young people's career choices, extending opportunities and promoting the value and importance of language learning. Employers can begin to address these issues by building on the talent within their own work force.
	Support is available through bodies such as UK Trade and Investment, the British Council and the CILT/Languages NTO's internet-based Business Languages Information Services (BLIS) providing a database of language trainers, cultural consultants and translation and interpretation services.

Foreign Languages

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of (a) the impact on export sales by companies which place low value on foreign language skills of their attitude towards such skills and (b) the impact of low foreign language skills among British companies on British competitiveness; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 5 July 2004
	Although the DTI has not commissioned any specific research on this issue, we continue to monitor the situation for example making a point of asking established inward investors about the issues that concern them (currently they do not raise foreign language skills as such an area of concern).
	Skills audits commissioned by the Regional Development Agencies show that 20 per cent. of UK companies believe that they have lost business because of lack of language and cultural skills and 25 per cent. experience problems in handling international business.
	In some regions the development of Regional Languages Networks has been led by the National Centre for Languages with the support and funding of the Regional Development Agencies, UK Trade and Investment and the Learning and Skills Councils. These are business-led and designed to help ensure that the future provision of language and cultural skills meets the needs of businesses involved in international trade.

Heat Efficiency Targets

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets were established for the more efficient use of heat in the Government's Energy White Paper.

Stephen Timms: The Energy White Paper does not set specific targets for the more efficient use of heat. However, we can expect to see an increase in small-scale, distributed heat and electricity generation.
	Space heating and hot water account for 80 per cent. of energy use in households, and over half of energy use in the service sector. The Government's Energy Efficiency Action Plan, published in April 2003, sets out measures that the Government expects to deliver savings of over 12 million tonnes of carbon (MtC) by 2010, with a formal aim to achieve savings of 4.2 MtC in households by 2010. This represents savings of around 10 per cent. of total non-transport carbon emissions.
	Combined heat and power (CHP) is the simultaneous generation of usable heat and power (usually electricity) in a single process. The Government's CHP Strategy, also published in April 2003, sets out a framework to support the growth of CHP capacity in the UK. The Government's target is to achieve 10GWe of Good Quality CHP electrical capacity by 2010.

Inward Investment

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what mechanism her Department monitors the concerns of inward investors.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 5 July 2004
	A key objective of UK Trade and Investment is to gather and monitor the views and concerns of inward investors in order to identify obstacles to overseas-owned companies growing their investments in the UK.
	These views are gathered through a dialogue with investors, both with their overseas headquarters and their UK subsidiaries. I chair a quarterly meeting with key inward investors where we explore concerns and ways that Government can help improve or resolve the issues that concern them.
	UK Trade and Investment is also undertaking a survey and consultation project with existing investors to help fine tune its service to meet their likely future needs.

MG Rover Group

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what assistance the Government have provided to MG Rover Group in relation to (a) UK and (b) internationally based activities;
	(2)  what mechanisms have been put in place to monitor the use of public assistance provided to MG Rover Group; and if she will place in the Library all material collated by her Department on the assistance given;
	(3)  how much public assistance has been made available to MG Rover Group; how much of this has been drawn down; what (a) grant, (b) support scheme, (c) programme and (d) initiative provided this money; for what purposes the support was provided; and how much support was provided in each instance.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 18 June 2004
	On 17 March 2000, we committed the substantial amount of £129 million to implement the recommendations of the Rover Task Force. Some £11 million has been spent on actions which needed to be taken immediately, for example to support the automotive supply chain. A further £17 million has supported the Modernisation of the automotive supply chain and nearly £20 million has been used for Diversification, to support and encourage businesses to engage in new activity.
	In addition, £22 million has been agreed to create three High Tech corridors to attract and develop more high tech and high value added businesses. We also agreed an overall sum of £2 million to kick-start initiatives in the North Staffordshire area. £10 million was made available to Advantage West Midlands to buy a strategic site in Birmingham for future industrial development. £42 million has been provided for good quality Regional Selective Assistance projects in the region and some £5 million of the £129 million total is not yet allocated to specific projects.
	From the total £129 million, £49 million has been spent as at the end of March 2004. £4 million has been allocated to MG Rover as described as follows. MG Rover Group have been offered assistance in the following two areas:
	A grant of up to £9 million under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 towards the cost of employee training and development, of which £4 million is from Rover Task Force funding and the balance from European funds. The company has drawn down £4.6 million to date, more than matched by training spend of the company itself.
	An offer of grant of £1.057 million (awarded to a partnership of MG Rover, MIRA, Powertrain Ltd. and Pi Technology) under the Department for Transport's Ultra Low Carbon Car Challenge, of which £117,000 has been drawn down.
	These grants relate to UK based activities. The normal mechanisms for monitoring assistance under the Learning and Skills Act and the Ultra Low Carbon Car Challenge are applied to these grants.

Ministerial Air Travel

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list for each year since 1997 the number of miles flown by each Minister in her Department on official departmental business.

Patricia Hewitt: The DTI does not record the number of miles flown on official departmental business by its Ministers or staff. To provide the information requested would entail disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Air Travel

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost of air travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain was for (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department in the latest year for which figures are available.

Patricia Hewitt: The estimated total cost of air travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain was £619 for (a) Ministers and £58,224 for (b) officials in the DTI in the 12 month period ending 31 March 2004.

Premium Rate Telephone Line Fraud

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with (a) ICSTIS and (b) BT concerning premium rate line fraud involving use of the Internet; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 5 July 2004
	The DTI will continue the ongoing discussions with ICSTIS, OFCOM, BT and other operators throughout July to develop solutions for managing the consumer issues now, while building a strategy for limiting the potential for this type of fraud in the future.

Regional Development Agencies

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was to public funds of appointing and remunerating a new chairman and members to the boards of the eight English regional development agencies this year; how many chairmen and members have been appointed in total, and at what cost in remuneration; how many staff have been employed by the regional development agencies, in each of the last three years; and what the cost of remuneration was in each year.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 5 July 2004
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 30 June 2004, Official Report, column 14WS, in a written ministerial statement, the appointment of Dr. Bryan Jackson as the new Chair of 'emda'. Dr. Jackson will be remunerated at £49,854 for an average time commitment of two days per week. The advertising and consultancy costs of this appointment were £34,953.
	Work is currently under way on this year's Board process, with 32 positions available on the eight English RDA Boards (excluding London). Those appointed will be remunerated at £7,931 for an average time commitment of two days per month. It is estimated that the advertising and consultancy costs will be in the region of £210,000.
	Since the RDAs were launched in 1999, Ministers have appointed 15 Chairs (excluding the new 'emda' Chair) and 189 Board Members. The following table provides details of the total remuneration paid to Chairs and Board members in each of the financial years to 31 March 2003 (information for 2003–04 is not yet available).
	
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 1998–99 309 
			 1999–2000 1,120 
			 2000–01 1,131 
			 2001–02 1,191 
			 2002–03 1,297 
		
	
	The following table gives details of the number of staff employed by each of the RDAs, and the cost in remuneration, over the three years to 2002–03 (information for 2003–04 is not yet available).
	
		
			 Agency 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 AWM
			 Staff Employed (Number) 164 178 216 
			 Staff Remuneration (£000) 5,346 6,603 8,995 
			 
			 EEDA
			 Staff Employed (Number) 83 92 139 
			 Staff Remuneration (£000) 3,125 3,992 5,245 
			 
			 EMDA
			 Staff Employed (Number) 124 141 170 
			 Staff Remuneration (£000) 4,120 4,660 5,384 
			 
			 NWDA
			 Staff Employed (Number) 237 263 291 
			 Staff Remuneration (£000) 7,587 8,489 10,596 
			 
			 ONE
			 Staff Employed (Number) 244 240 249 
			 Staff Remuneration (£000) 7,633 7,975 9,011 
			 
			 SEEDA
			 Staff Employed (Number) 122 136 182 
			 Staff Remuneration (£000) 4,509 5,571 7,928 
			 
			 SWRDA
			 Staff Employed (Number) 182 197 227 
			 Staff Remuneration (£000) 5,545 6,358 7,498 
			 
			 YF
			 Staff Employed (Number) 220 226 282 
			 Staff Remuneration (£000) 6,150 8,077 9,823

Vibration White Finger

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the services claims under the vibration white finger scheme of persons under 70 years of age will be dealt with.

Nigel Griffiths: The miners representatives and the DTI agreed that priority should be given to the over 70s.
	The claims of younger miners now are being processed in order to date of claims.

Vibration White Finger

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how she plans to process services claims for vibration white finger that have been submitted; and what resources will be allocated to ensure that the claims are processed without delays.

Nigel Griffiths: The VWF Services process at the Department's claims handlers IRISC involves an assessment of both submitted paper evidence and further information gathered through telephone discussions with those who currently provide a Service to the claimant. Once this is complete the claim is forwarded to Capita Health Solutions who conduct the medical and return to IRISC for offer. Deceased claims are dealt with on a tariff basis and there is no medical.
	To meet the aspirational scheme end dates of all medicals completed by the end of 2006 and all claims settled in 2007 we plan to double resources at both contractors.

Vibration White Finger

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many services medical assessments and service offers have been made under the vibration white finger scheme to date; how many claims have been submitted; and what procedures have been introduced to ensure that the remaining services claims are dealt with efficiently and with minimal delay to the claimant.

Nigel Griffiths: As of the end of May 2004 a total of 6,751 VWF Services medicals had been completed and 3,912 offers had been made. In total the Department had received questionnaires for 24,602 cases where a Services claim had been intimated.
	To ensure that those VWF Services claims are dealt with as effectively as possible we have agreed aspirational scheme end dates with our contractors. We are planning to have completed all Services medicals by the end of 2006 and to have all claims settled during 2007. At a recent workshop we communicated these dates to solicitors, together with details of the increasing resources we are devoting to this. We urge solicitors to do the same.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Breast Cancer

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research his Department has conducted into disparities between the incidence of breast cancer in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Angela Smith: The Northern Ireland rates for breast cancer are the lowest of all the countries in the UK. The following table gives the average numbers of women per year diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK between 1998–2000. The table also shows the rate for the average annual number of women, per 100,000 females of the population, diagnosed with the disease. These rates are averaged over the period 1998–2000 so that random variation/fluctuations, which may occur year-on-year, are removed.
	
		Directly age-standardised 1 registration rates of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer by UK country, 1998–2000 2
		
			  Average number diagnosed per year Rate per 100,000 females 
		
		
			 United Kingdom 40,299 113.9 
			 England 33,661 114.0 
			 Wales 2,078 110.9 
			 Scotland 3,615 116.6 
			 Northern Ireland 945 107.0 
		
	
	(18) Using the European Standard Population.
	(19) Three year averages.
	Source:
	Figures taken from "Registrations of cancer diagnosed in 2000, England", an Office for National Statistics publication (Series MB1 number 31).

Civil Servants (Industrial Action)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the current civil service industrial action on the competitiveness of Northern Ireland's haulage industry.

Angela Smith: The certificates of temporary exemption that are being issued for goods vehicles exempt owners and operators from the requirement to have their vehicles tested for a three month period from the date of issue. They enable vehicles to be taxed and to operate legally on the road, and should prevent any material damage to the competitiveness of Northern Ireland's haulage industry.

Comber High School/Bangor Academy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2004, Official Report, columns 1561–62W, on Comber High School/Bangor Academy, if he will place in the Library a copy of the findings of the screening exercise carried out by the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

Barry Gardiner: A copy has been placed in the Library.

Cory Report

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the three inquiries will be announced consequent on the Cory Report.

Paul Murphy: On 1 April I announced public inquiries into the deaths of Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson and Billy Wright. Work is continuing to enable the inquiries to be established as soon as possible. I will be making a statement early in July that will set out the progress that has been made.

Cory Report

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the commencement of the public inquiries into the deaths of (a) Robert Hamill, (b) Rosemary Nelson and (c) Billy Wright.

Paul Murphy: Work is continuing to enable the inquiries to be established as soon as possible. I will be making a statement early in July that will set out the progress that has been made.

Cricket

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to encourage the playing of cricket at schools.

Barry Gardiner: The Physical Education Programme of Study, while not specifying which particular sport activities should be followed, sets out a range of skills which schools should aim to develop in pupils. Schools themselves decide which games they will provide.
	The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment is currently carrying out a review of the curriculum, and PE is being considered as part of this review.
	The Sports Council for Northern Ireland works closely with the NI Cricket Association and also provides funding to complement the work undertaken to promote cricket at school level.

Custody and Bail Cases (Processing Times)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of (a) custody and (b) bail cases in Northern Ireland were processed in the time limits in the last period for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: The Policing Plan has set the performance targets as follows:
	To process 85 per cent. of custody cases within 90 days; and
	To process 85 per cent. of bail cases within 110 days.
	For the period from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004, 55.7 per cent. of custody cases were processed within 90 days, and 64.6 per cent. of bail cases within 110 days.
	The most recent figures available are for April 2004. These show that 68.4 per cent. of custody cases and 67.7 per cent. of bail cases were processed within the timescales outlined above.

Delayed Hospital Discharges

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients currently have their discharge from hospital delayed, broken down by health trust area; what the average weekly cost of their stay in hospital is; and what the average estimated cost of a community care package for each is.

Angela Smith: The information requested is as follows.
	
		Number of delayed discharges, by trust of residence at 31 March 2004
		
			 Board of residence/community trust of residence Number of delayed discharges Percentage of total delayed 
		
		
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 36 8 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 34 8 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 83 19 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust 41 9 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 31 7 
			 Homefirst HSS Trust 111 26 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 42 10 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge HSS Trust 21 5 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 13 3 
			 Foyle HSS Trust 15 3 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 7 2 
			 Total 434 100 
		
	
	It is estimated that the average cost of delayed discharges remaining in hospital is £1,233 per person per week. It is estimated that a community care package, which includes a week of care in a nursing home, would cost £420 per person per week.
	Note
	Delayed discharge information is collected only for hospitals, which provide an acute service. Delayed discharges refer to persons delayed in these hospitals while awaiting a community care package.

Endoscopes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the implementation by local health trusts of manufacturers' guidelines and recommendations regarding the use and cleaning of endoscopes;
	(2)  on what dates audits were performed by local health trusts into the safe and effective use of flexible endoscopes (a) between April and June and (b) prior to this period;
	(3)  what independent quality control and improvement measures are in place in hospitals in the Province regarding use of flexible endoscopic equipment; and when they were introduced.

Angela Smith: The information requested in these questions is not held centrally. The issues raised will, however, be examined as part of the forthcoming independent review of arrangements for endoscope disinfection in Northern Ireland. The review will be chaired by Dame Deirdre Hine and is expected to report in the autumn.

Endoscopes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the (a) manufacturer and (b) model are of each endoscope used by each hospital in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The Department has the relevant information in respect of flexible endoscopes only. In view of the extent of the information, it has been placed in the Library of the House.

Equal Opportunities

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Government have provided funding for research into measures to combat the unemployment differential between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland as outlined in the Joint Declaration.

John Spellar: Labour Market Dynamics research has been commissioned in line with a Joint Declaration commitment. The research examines gender, religion and disability differentials in relation to employment, unemployment and non-employment, trends over time and the main factors driving change.
	The specific objectives include:
	providing a description and explanation of the trends over time in differentials in employment, unemployment and non-employment in relation to gender, religion and disability;
	statistically modelling the trends and outcomes for the key groups identified; and
	commenting on targets set within the Department of Employment and Learning's Report on the Taskforce on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment (2002), to reduce these differentials.
	The research is currently under way and is expected to report by the end of the year.

Fair Employment

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many formal complaints have been lodged with the Fair Employment Tribunal in each of the last five years; how many complaints were (a) rejected initially, (b) settled, (c) heard and upheld and (d) heard and rejected.

Barry Gardiner: The information is in the following table.
	
		Fair employment tribunal: cases registered each year and their position at 31 March 2004
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Total registrations 499 561 613 481 466 
			 Allowed after full hearing 3 5 2 2 1 
			 Dismissed after preliminary hearing 11 15 9 7 4 
			 Dismissed after full hearing 27 26 21 4 0 
			 Dismissed/struck out for want of prosecution 5 18 10 3 0 
			 Withdrawn 288 244 279 144 54 
			 Conciliated by LRA 53 58 48 23 3 
			 Settled between the parties 88 108 67 14 3 
			 Settled between the parties—terms attached 2 2 0 1 0 
			 Stayed 12 5 10 2 1 
			 Live cases 10 80 167 281 400

Health Service Finance

John Hume: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures are in place to ensure that nurses' salaries claimed by general practices are paid at the salary levels claimed from the health boards.

Angela Smith: With the implementation of the new GMS contract with effect from 1 April 2004, the funding to meet the costs of all staff employed by general practices, including nursing staff, is no longer claimed back from Health and Social Services Boards. Instead this is provided by way of a global sum direct to each practice and it is then a matter for the individual practices to decide how that funding should be spent on staffing. The amount allocated to each practice is calculated using a workload allocation formula which is based on the practice population, weighted for factors that influence relative patient needs and other costs.

Invest Northern Ireland

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of time taken for an application for assistance to be processed by Invest Northern Ireland is.

Barry Gardiner: The time taken to process applications for assistance varies across the range of Invest NI's programmes, with the length of the appraisal process being dictated by both the way each specific programme operates and the complexity of the project put forward by a client.
	In terms of Invest NI's main programmes, the current processing target for larger business development projects is 60 days. The processing target for less complex development cases is 30 days. These timescales relate to "controllable" time i.e. periods when an application is being dealt with by Invest NI and not awaiting further information from a client.
	The target timescales are being met in the majority of cases, although there are exceptions where, for example, the case is particularly complex or the negotiations prolonged.

Pat Finucane Centre

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether public funds have been used to support the Pat Finucane Centre.

John Spellar: The Community Relations Council has provided public funds totalling £10,376 in the last five years to the Pat Finucane Centre in respect of a number of specific projects.

Police (Best Value Regime)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost to the Police Service of Northern Ireland of administering the Best Value regime is in this financial year.

Ian Pearson: A budget totalling £663,616 has been set aside to cover the costs of Best Value reviews in 2004–05.

Social Housing (Upper Dunmurry Lane/Old Golf Course Road)

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  whether an assessment will be made of the impact on biodiversity action plans and protected landscapes of the application for planning permission for social housing for lands at Upper Dunmurry Lane/Old Golf Course Road (Ref. S/2004/0114/F and S/2004/0116F);
	(2)  whether the application for planning permission for social housing on lands at Upper Dunmurry Lane/Old Golf Course Road (Ref. S/2004/0114/F and S/2004/0116F) complies with the planning policy statement of the Planning Service in respect of the protection and enhancement of open space;
	(3)  how and under what process the application for planning permission for social housing on lands at Upper Dunmurry Lane/Old Golf Course Road (Ref. S/2004/0114F and S/2004/0116F) lands were declared surplus to the Department of Environment's requirements; and under what process Habinteg Housing Association was selected as the potential developer of social housing on these sites;
	(4)  what provision has been made to ensure that the present wildlife areas are maintained and enhanced in line with Department of Environment policy with reference to application for planning permission for social housing on lands at Upper Dunmurry Lane/Old Golf Course Road (Ref. S/2004/0114F and S/2004/0116F);
	(5)  whether an assessment will be made on access to the Ulster Way of the application for planning permission for social housing on lands at Upper Dunmurry Lane/Old Golf Course Road (Ref. S/2004/0114F and S/2004/0116F);
	(6)  if he will outline the level of community consultation undertaken by the Department of the Environment to change the zoning of the lands in respect of the application for planning permission for social housing on lands at Upper Dunmurry Lane/Old Golf Course Road (Ref. S/2004/0114F and S/2004/0116F).

Angela Smith: The land referred to belongs to the Department of the Environment (DOE). It was purchased in 1987 to facilitate a Roads Scheme. On completion of the scheme a considerable area was undeveloped and surplus to requirements. The Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO) took the lands for a social development project, but their remit changed and the project did not proceed. At the time of devolution, it was agreed that DOE would retain the land and the Environment and Heritage Service was assigned responsibility for it while BRO continued to act for the Department in taking forward the disposal. In line with procedures for the disposal of surplus land, expressions of interest were sought. The application from Habinteg Housing Association, supported by the Department for Social Development, was accepted subject to planning permission being secured.
	The proposal, comprising two planning applications that were both accompanied by an Environmental Statement, is still under consideration by Planning Service. The land in question is not classified as a protected landscape. It is currently identified as open space in Belfast Urban Area Plan (2001) and the Lisburn Area Plan (2001). However, although Planning Policy Statement 8 affords protection to existing or proposed open space, the policy does also allow for the loss of open space in specific circumstances. Issues such as open space, biodiversity, wildlife and the Ulster Way will all be carefully considered as part of the planning process, which includes consultation with relevant bodies.

Wild Animals Order

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set out the timescale for the implementation of the licensing and inspection system envisaged in the draft Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.

Angela Smith: Subject to the approval of both Houses of Parliament, it is expected that the Order will be considered by the Privy Council on 27 July. Certain enabling provisions will come into operation seven days after the Order is made.
	However, the substantive provisions, including those provisions making it an offence to keep a dangerous wild animal without a licence, will be brought into operation by way of a commencement order, to be made by the Department of the Environment. This is considered necessary, in the interests of public safety, to ensure that all operational arrangements required for the effective operation and enforcement of the legislation are in place and to allow for the preparation of guidance and standards for prospective licence holders. I expect it to take three months for this work to be completed and the licence provisions brought into operation. Thereafter, existing owners will have a further period of 90 days to apply for a licence, during which time they may continue to keep the animal.